Apparatus and methods for making bread

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods for automating the process of making flatbread, such as roti. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interior volume and has several access openings with corresponding lids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour container assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes two bowls and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes a mixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lower motor. The cooking assembly includes two platens and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a power source, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All components are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus is a consumer grade countertop appliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.15/906,576, entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Making Bread,” filedFeb. 27, 2018, which claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/463,856, entitled “Apparatus and Methods forMaking Bread,” filed Feb. 27, 2017, each of which are incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate generally to the field of makingbread, specifically flatbread.

Roti, also known as chapatti, is an unleavened flatbread originatingfrom the Indian subcontinent. Although a piece of roti can have anysuitable shape (e.g., an irregular shape), many rotis are roughlycircular in shape having a diameter within the range of 150 mm to 300 mmand a thickness of between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm. The mainingredients used to make roti are flour, water and oil. Additional herbsand seasonings can be added to make the roti more flavorful. Roti isoften used in place of a utensil to eat food. The user tears off a smallportion of roti, folds it around a piece of food, and pinches the foodin order to bring the food from the plate to the user's mouth. Roti canalso be used as a wrap where the user places food into the roti, andfolds the roti over the food.

The traditional method for cooking roti involves creating a large batchof dough by mixing and kneading the ingredients. A small bit of dough isremoved and rolled flat with a rolling pin on a flat surface. Theflattened dough is placed on a hot cooking surface, flipped once, andthen placed on an open flame to puff the Roti into a nearly sphericalshape. The roti is removed from the flame and allowed to return to aflattened state. Finally, the roti is placed in a closed lid containerwith other pieces of roti until ready to be served. This method involvesmany steps, is time consuming, and is not well-suited for beingautomated with existing bread makers.

Most traditional automatic bread makers require that the user manuallymeasure and add all of the ingredients to the machine. These breadmakers then mix the ingredients and bake the dough in the same chamberfor a fixed amount of time set by the cycle selected by a user. Suchknown bread makers are not suitable for making flatbread such as roti.For example, although such known bread makers can mix ingredients toproduce dough, they are reliant on the user to select and measure theingredients. This can result in inconsistent baked products, as a resultof differences in flour, inaccurate measurements, and the like. Suchknown bread makers also do not have any mechanism to flatten the doughand cook a flatbread into its final form. Moreover, known bread makersdo not have a mechanism to flip dough during the baking process, whichis important to producing an authentic roti. For example, by flippingthe dough, the dough can be heated from a single side, and the moisturecan escape from an upwardly-oriented side (i.e., the “top” side). Knownbread makers, however, do not emulate this portion of the cookingprocess.

Some known bread makers include a mechanism that flattens the dough withtwo plates (like a press) and then bakes the dough on both sides.Although these devices are acceptable for some flatbreads such asfocaccia and tortillas, but they not acceptable for making certainflatbreads such as roti. As described above, when roti is cooked thedough puffs up into a nearly spherical shape which cannot be done insuch known flatbread maker devices.

Thus, a need exists for devices and methods of automating the process ofmaking flatbreads, such as roti.

SUMMARY

Devices and methods for automating the process of making a flatbread,such as roti, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a methodincludes inserting an ingredient container into a cooking device. Theingredient container contains a first ingredient and is associated witha machine-readable component storing recipe information associated withthe first ingredient. The cooking device is the actuated to A) cause arecipe module of the cooking device to receive the recipe informationfrom the machine-readable component; B) mix a first amount of the firstingredient with a second amount of a second ingredient to produce aningredient mixture, the first amount and the second amount based on therecipe information; and C) cook the ingredient mixture at a temperaturefor a cook time, the temperature and the cook time based on the recipeinformation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a container and amachine-readable component. The container is configured to contain aningredient, and is configured to be coupled to a cooking device. Themachine-readable component is associated with the container, and storesrecipe information associated with the ingredient. The recipeinformation includes at least an amount of the ingredient. An electroniccircuit system of the cooking device is configured to receive the recipeinformation from the machine-readable component. The cooking device isconfigured to manipulate the container based on the recipe informationto convey the amount of the ingredient from the container.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a cooking assembly and anactuator assembly. The cooking assembly includes a first platen and asecond platen. The first platen has a first flattening mass and a firstheating surface. The second platen has a second flattening mass and asecond heating surface, and is coupled to the first platen such that thefirst heating surface and the second heating surface define a platenvolume within which an ingredient mixture can be disposed. The actuatorassembly is configured to move at least one of the first platen or thesecond platen to reduce the platen volume to place the cooking assemblyin a flattening configuration. The first heating surface and the secondheating surface are each configured to contact the ingredient mixturewhen the cooking assembly is in the flattening configuration. Theactuator assembly is configured to rotate at least one of the firstplaten or the second platen between a first orientation and a secondorientation. The first heating surface is below the second heatingsurface when the cooking assembly is in the first orientation, and thesecond heating surface is below the first heating surface when thecooking assembly is in the second orientation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredientmetering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, acooking assembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines aninterior volume and several access openings with corresponding accesslids and/or covers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flourcontainer assembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and anoil reservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes an upper bowl, a lowerbowl, and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes amixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lowermotor. The cooking assembly includes a first platen, a second platen,and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a powersource, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All of thesecomponents are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus isa countertop appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a cooking device, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method of cooking an item, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of cooking an item, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 5-9 are schematic illustrations of a cooking device, according toan embodiment, in a receiving configuration (FIG. 5), a flatteningconfiguration (FIG. 6), a first cooking configuration (FIG. 7), duringrotation (FIG. 8), and a second cooking configuration (FIG. 9).

FIGS. 10-13 are schematic illustrations of a cooking device, accordingto an embodiment, in a receiving configuration (FIGS. 10-11), aflattening configuration (FIG. 12), and a first cooking configuration(FIG. 13).

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method of cooking an item, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 15-17 are schematic illustrations of a container assembly,according to an embodiment, in a measurement configuration (FIG. 15), amixing configuration (FIG. 16), and a delivery configuration (FIG. 17).

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a countertop appliance according to anembodiment, showing an exterior view of the left side of the device.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.18, showing an exterior view of the right side of the device.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.18, showing an exterior view of the left side of the device with allaccess panels in an open configuration.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are is a perspective view of the countertop applianceshown in FIG. 18, with the housing removed to show the internalcomponents.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the countertop appliance shown inFIG. 18, when the mixing bowl assembly is in a second configuration andthe cooking assembly is in a first configuration.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a flour container assembly ofthe countertop appliance shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a portion of the countertop applianceshown in FIG. 18, showing the flour container assembly and the flourdelivery system.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.18, showing the mixing bowl assembly of the device.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.18, showing a rear view of the mixing bowl assembly and the mixingactuator assembly.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.18, showing a front view of the mixing bowl assembly and the mixingactuator assembly.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an upper bowl of the mixing bowlassembly shown in FIGS. 26-28.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a lower bowl of the mixing bowlassembly shown in FIGS. 26-28.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the mixing paddle assembly of thecountertop appliance shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the cooking assembly of the countertopappliance shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of the lower platen of the cookingassembly shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a top perspective view of the upper platen of the cookingassembly shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional side view of the countertop appliance shownin FIG. 18, showing the mixing bowl assembly in a second configurationand the cooking assembly in a second configuration.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional side view of the countertop appliance shownin FIG. 18, showing the mixing bowl assembly in a second configurationand the cooking assembly in a third configuration.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional side view of the countertop appliance shownin FIG. 18, showing the mixing bowl assembly in a second configurationand the cooking assembly in a fourth configuration.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional side view of the countertop appliance shownin FIG. 18, showing the mixing bowl assembly in a second configurationand the cooking assembly in a fifth configuration.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a cooking system according to anembodiment.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the cooking system shown in FIG. 39,with a portion of the housing removed to show certain components of thecooking system.

FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view of an ingredient containerassembly of the cooking system shown in FIG. 39.

FIG. 42 is a portion of the ingredient container assembly shown in FIG.41.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a mixing actuator and a mixingcontainer assembly of the cooking system shown in FIG. 39.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of the mixing container assembly shown inFIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the mixing container assembly shownin FIG. 43.

FIGS. 46, 47A and 47B are perspective views of a cooking assembly of thecooking system shown in FIG. 39 in a receiving configuration.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cooking assemblyshown in FIGS. 47A and 47B.

FIGS. 49-52 are perspective views of a cooking assembly of the cookingsystem shown in FIG. 39 in various configurations.

FIGS. 53-62 are flow charts of one or more methods (or portions ofmethods), according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 63 and 64 are a perspective view and a side view of a cookingassembly, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a portion of the cooking assembly shownin FIGS. 63 and 55.

FIGS. 66 and 67 are perspective views of a heating member of a cookingassembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a transfer tube, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance according toan embodiment, showing the ingredient metering assembly and the mixingbowl assembly of the device.

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.69, showing the cooking assembly of the device.

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of the countertop appliance shown in FIG.69, showing the lower platen of the cooking assembly of the device.

FIGS. 72 and 73 are perspective views of the countertop appliance shownin FIG. 69, showing the cooking assembly of the device.

FIGS. 74A-74D show various stages of the operation of a countertopappliance, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 75A-75D show various views of a countertop bread making applianceaccording to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein provide a novel apparatus and methodsfor automating the process of making flatbread using a countertopappliance. Specifically, devices and methods for automating the processof making a flatbread, such as roti, are described herein. In someembodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, an ingredient meteringassembly, a mixing bowl assembly, a mixing actuator assembly, a cookingassembly, and an electronic assembly. The housing defines an interiorvolume and several access openings with corresponding access lids and/orcovers. The ingredient metering assembly includes a flour containerassembly, a flour delivery system, a water reservoir, and an oilreservoir. The mixing bowl assembly includes an upper bowl, a lowerbowl, and a measurement system. The mixing actuator assembly includes amixing mount, a mixing motor, a mixing paddle assembly, and a lowermotor. The cooking assembly includes a first platen, a second platen,and an actuator assembly. The electronic assembly includes a powersource, a control module, and a LCD input/output screen. All of thesecomponents are integrated within the housing such that the apparatus isa countertop appliance.

In some embodiments, a method of automating a process of making aflatbread including storing ingredients in separate containers within ahousing and then dispensing the ingredients in a specific amount fromthe separate container into a mixing bowl. The ingredients are thenmixed in the mixing bowl to form dough. In some embodiments, the doughis kneaded within the mixing bowl to form a substantially sphericaldough ball. At least a portion of the dough is moved from the mixingbowl to a first platen. A second platen is used to flatten the portionof dough on the first platen and the cooking assembly is then heated tocook a first side of the portion of dough for a specific amount of time.The dough is then flipped such that a second side of the portion ofdough is then cooked for a specific amount of time. The portion ofcooked dough is then deposited into a storage container.

In some embodiments, a method includes inserting an ingredient containerinto a cooking device. The ingredient container contains a firstingredient and is associated with a machine-readable component storingrecipe information associated with the first ingredient. The cookingdevice is the actuated to A) cause a recipe module of the cooking deviceto receive the recipe information from the machine-readable component;B) mix a first amount of the first ingredient with a second amount of asecond ingredient to produce an ingredient mixture, the first amount andthe second amount based on the recipe information; and C) cook theingredient mixture at a temperature for a cook time, the temperature andthe cook time based on the recipe information.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes receiving,from a machine-readable component of an ingredient container, recipeinformation associated with a first ingredient stored within theingredient container. The recipe information includes a first amount ofthe first ingredient, a second amount of a second ingredient, a cooktemperature, and a cook time. A first metering signal associated withthe first amount is transmitted to a metering assembly of a cookingdevice. The metering assembly dispenses the first amount of the firstingredient into a mixing bowl of the cooking device in response to thefirst metering signal. A second metering signal associated with thesecond amount is transmitted to the metering assembly. The meteringassembly dispenses the second amount of the second ingredient into themixing bowl in response to the second metering signal. A cook signalassociated with the cook temperature and the cook time is transmitted toa cooking assembly of the cooking device. The cooking assembly cooks aningredient mixture of the first ingredient and the second ingredientbased on the cook signal.

In some embodiments, the computer-implemented method includes sending,from a radio of the cooking device, a wireless signal associated with anoperation of the cooking device. The wireless signal can be received bya mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the wireless signal isassociated with any one of an expiration date, a second recipeinformation, a quantity of bread, or a low ingredient indicator.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes receiving,from a machine-readable component of an ingredient container, a firstrecipe information associated with a first ingredient stored within theingredient container. The first recipe information includes at least oneof first amount of the first ingredient, a second amount of a secondingredient, a cook temperature, and a cook time. A second recipeinformation is received. The second recipe information includes a targetnumber of cooked items. A first metering signal associated with thefirst amount is transmitted to a metering assembly of a cooking device.The metering assembly dispenses the first amount of the first ingredientinto a mixing bowl of the cooking device in response to the firstmetering signal. A second metering signal associated with the secondamount is transmitted to the metering assembly. The metering assemblydispenses the second amount of the second ingredient into the mixingbowl in response to the second metering signal. A cook signal associatedwith the cook temperature and the cook time is transmitted to a cookingassembly of the cooking device. The cooking assembly cooks an ingredientmixture of the first ingredient and the second ingredient based on thecook signal. The metering and cooking process (i.e., each of thetransmitting the first metering signal, the transmitting the secondmetering signal, and the transmitting the cook signal) is then repeatedbased on the target number of cooked items.

In some embodiments, receiving the second recipe information includesreceiving a wireless signal associated with the second recipeinformation from a mobile computing device.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a container and amachine-readable component. The container is configured to contain aningredient, and is configured to be coupled to a cooking device. Themachine-readable component is associated with the container, and storesrecipe information associated with the ingredient. The recipeinformation includes at least an amount of the ingredient. An electroniccircuit system of the cooking device is configured to receive the recipeinformation from the machine-readable component. The cooking device isconfigured to manipulate the container based on the recipe informationto convey the amount of the ingredient from the container.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an ingredient meteringassembly, a mixing assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electroniccircuit system. The ingredient metering assembly is configured to conveya first amount of a first ingredient into a mixing volume and a secondamount of a second ingredient into the mixing volume. The mixingassembly is configured to mix the first ingredient and the secondingredient to form an ingredient mixture. The cooking assembly includesat least one heating surface, and is configured to cook the ingredientmixture at a cook temperature for a cook time. The electronic circuitsystem includes a processing device, a memory, a recipe module, ametering module and a cook module. The recipe module is implemented inat least one of the memory or the processing device, and is configuredto receive, from a machine-readable component of an ingredientcontainer, recipe information associated with at least the firstingredient stored within the ingredient container. The recipeinformation includes the first amount of the first ingredient, thesecond amount of the second ingredient, the cook temperature, and thecook time. The metering module is implemented in at least one of thememory or the processing device, and is configured to produce a firstmetering signal to actuate the ingredient metering assembly to conveythe first amount of the first ingredient into the mixing volume. Themetering module is configured to produce a second metering signal toactuate the ingredient metering assembly to convey the second amount ofthe second ingredient into the mixing volume. The cook module isimplemented in at least one of the memory or the processing device, andis configured to produce a cook signal to actuate the cooking assemblyto cook the ingredient mixture at the cook temperature for a cook time.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a cooking assembly and anactuator assembly. The cooking assembly includes a first platen and asecond platen. The first platen has a first flattening mass and a firstheating surface. The second platen has a second flattening mass and asecond heating surface, and is coupled to the first platen such that thefirst heating surface and the second heating surface define a platenvolume within which an ingredient mixture can be disposed. The actuatorassembly is configured to move at least one of the first platen or thesecond platen to reduce the platen volume to place the cooking assemblyin a flattening configuration. The first heating surface and the secondheating surface are each configured to contact the ingredient mixturewhen the cooking assembly is in the flattening configuration. Theactuator assembly is configured to rotate at least one of the firstplaten or the second platen between a first orientation and a secondorientation. The first heating surface is below the second heatingsurface when the cooking assembly is in the first orientation, and thesecond heating surface is below the first heating surface when thecooking assembly is in the second orientation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a cooking assembly and anactuator assembly. The cooking assembly includes a first platen and asecond platen. The first platen has a first flattening mass and a firstheating surface. The first heating surface is configured to rotaterelative to the first flattening mass. The second platen includes asecond flattening mass and a second heating surface. The second platenis coupled to the first platen such that the first heating surface andthe second heating surface define a platen volume within which aningredient mixture can be disposed. The actuator assembly is configuredto move at least one of the first platen or the second platen totransition the cooking assembly from a receiving configuration to aflattening configuration. The first heating surface is nonparallel tothe second heating surface when the cooking assembly is in the receivingconfiguration. The first heating surface and the second heating surfaceare each configured to contact the ingredient mixture to limit movementof the ingredient mixture within the platen volume when the cookingassembly is in the receiving configuration. The first heating surface isparallel to the second heating surface when the cooking assembly is inthe flattening configuration. The first heating surface and the secondheating surface each configured to exert a press force on the ingredientmixture when the cooking assembly is in the flattening configuration.

In some embodiments, a method includes conveying an ingredient mixtureinto a platen volume defined by a cooking assembly. The cooking assemblyincludes a first platen and a second platen, and the platen volume isdefined between a first heating surface of the first platen and a secondheating surface of the second platen. At least one of the first platenor the second platen is moved to place the cooking assembly in aflattening configuration. The first heating surface and the secondheating surface are each in contact with the ingredient mixture when thecooking assembly is in the flattening configuration. The cookingassembly is rotated between a first orientation and a secondorientation. The first heating surface is below the second heatingsurface when the cooking assembly is in the first orientation. Thesecond heating surface is below the first heating surface when thecooking assembly is in the second orientation.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a container assembly thatincludes a first container and a second container. The container can beused in any of the cooking devices described herein. The first containerand the second container define a mixing volume within which a firstingredient and a second ingredient can be mixed to produce an ingredientmixture. At least one of the first container or the second containerincludes a coupling portion configured to movably couple the secondcontainer to the first container. The container assembly is configuredto transition between a measurement configuration, a mix configuration,and a delivery configuration. The second container is unsupported by thefirst container when the container assembly is in the measurementconfiguration. A first seal surface of the first container is in contactwith a second seal surface of the second container when the containerassembly is in the mix configuration. The first seal surface is spacedapart from and defining a tilt angle with the second seal surface whenthe container assembly is in the delivery configuration.

In some embodiments, the coupling portion of the first container definesan elongated slot. The second container is coupled to the firstcontainer by a pin disposed within the elongated slot. The secondcontainer configured to rotate relative to the first container about thepin when the container assembly is moved between the mix configurationand the delivery configuration. The elongated slot allows the secondcontainer to be coupled to, but unsupported by the first container whenthe container assembly is in the measurement configuration.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a container actuatorassembly configured to manipulate the second container to transition thecontainer assembly between the measurement configuration, the mixconfiguration, and the delivery configuration. An outer surface ofsecond container is configured to contact a platform of the containeractuator assembly. In some embodiments, the container actuator assemblyincludes a motor and a load cell. The motor is configured to move theplatform to exert a force on the second container to maintain the secondseal surface in contact with the first seal surface when the containerassembly is in the mix configuration. The load cell is configured tosupport the second container when the container assembly is in themeasurement configuration, and produces a signal associated with anamount of at least the first ingredient within the container assembly.

In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a mixing actuatorassembly configured to mix the first ingredient and the secondingredient within the mixing volume to produce the ingredient mixturewhen the container assembly is in the mix configuration. In someembodiments, the mixing actuator assembly includes a paddle having afirst portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured torotate relative to the container assembly. The second portion configuredto move relative to the first portion to produce the ingredient mixture.

The term “about” when used in connection with a referenced numericindication means the referenced numeric indication plus or minus up to10 percent of that referenced numeric indication. For example, “about100” means from 90 to 110.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, the term “a member” is intended to mean a single member or acombination of members, “a material” is intended to mean one or morematerials, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, a “set” can refer to multiple features or a singularfeature with multiple parts. For example, when referring to set ofwalls, the set of walls can be considered as one wall with distinctportions, or the set of walls can be considered as multiple walls.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic illustrations of a cooking system 5000 (alsoreferred to herein as a “cooking device 5000”) according to anembodiment. The cooking system 5000 includes a housing 5100 thatcontains a metering assembly 5200 (also referred to as an ingredientmetering assembly), a mixing assembly 5300, and a cooking assembly 5500.The cooking system also includes an electronic circuit system 5900,which can be coupled to or contained within the housing 5100. Thecooking system also includes an ingredient container 5205 that iscoupled to and/or received within the housing 5100, and that provides atleast a portion of the ingredients to for processing by the cookingassembly 5000. The cooking system 5000 can be any of the cooking systemsdescribed herein. For example, the cooking system 5000 can be a cookingsystem similar to the cooking system 3000 or the cooking system 1000described below. As described herein, the cooking system 5000automatically or semi-automatically completes all steps in the cookingprocess, including metering of the ingredients, mixing of theingredients, and cooking of the mixed ingredients to prepare a cookeditem. Specifically, the cooking system 5000 (and the associated methods)provides an end-to-end method of preparing cooked items with minimaluser input. For example, in some embodiments, the user can load theingredient container 5505 into the housing 5100 and simply press a“start” button to begin the preparation process. The cooking system 5000can then, without further user input, complete all processes to preparethe cooked item. In some embodiments, the “start” button can be includedwithin the electronic circuit system 5900, and can also indicate adesired quantity (or number) of cooked items (e.g., three items, fouritems, etc.). In other embodiments, the “start” button can be a virtualbutton conveyed to the user via a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone). In such embodiments, a wireless signal to start the process canbe conveyed from the mobile computing device to the electronic circuitsystem. In this manner, the user can control and/or monitor the breadmaking process via an application stored locally on their smart phonethat provides detailed instructions unique to that user.

Although described herein as flat bread, any of the cooked itemsdescribed herein can be, for example, a bread product (identified as BRin FIG. 2) of any type, including flatbread, tortillas, bagels, or pitabread. The cooked item need not be limited to flour-based breads, butcan include baked products of any type, including, but not limited tocorn-based bread, rice products, or other gluten-free baked products.

The ingredient container 5205 includes a package 5210 within which aningredient is contained, and a machine-readable component 5227. Theingredient can be a solid or substantially dry ingredient, such as, forexample, a mixture of dry flour, dry corn meal, and/or seasonings usedfor a bread product. In other embodiments, the ingredient can be aliquid, flowable paste, or slurry. For example, in some embodiments, theingredient within the package 5210 can include water, oil, vegetableextract, or other liquid or semi-liquid constituents. Moreover, asdescribed below, in some embodiments, the ingredient within the package5210 can be mixed with other ingredients to form an ingredient mixture.For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient within the package 5210can be a substantially dry ingredient that is mixed with predeterminedamounts of oil and water that are supplied to the cooking system 5000 byother means. For example, in some embodiments, the cooking system 5000can include one or more reservoirs (not shown) that store additionalingredients. Thus, the ingredient within the ingredient container 5205need not be the only ingredient used in preparing the cooked product.

The package 5210 can be any suitable structure that contains theingredient and that can be coupled to or engaged with the housing 5100and/or the cooking system 5000. For example, in some embodiments, thepackage 5210 (and any of the ingredient packages or containers describedherein) can be a rigid container that is not deformed during delivery ofthe ingredients from the package 5210 via the metering assembly 5200into the mixing assembly 5300. Such rigid containers can include, forexample, rigid tubes, boxes, vials, or the like, that are constructedfrom cardboard, plastic, glass, or any suitable compatible material. Inother embodiments, the package 5210 (and any of the ingredient packagesor containers described herein) can be a flexible container that isdeformed during delivery of the ingredients from the package 5210 viathe metering assembly 5200 into the mixing assembly 5300. Such flexiblecontainers can include, deformable tubes (e.g., squeeze tubes), flexiblepouches, or the like. Such flexible containers can be manipulated anddeformed by the metering assembly 5200 to convey a desired amount of theingredient from the package 5210 into the mixing assembly 5300.

The machine-readable component 5227 (also referred to as amachine-readable tag, tag, or chip) is coupled to the package 5210 andstores (is associated with or encoded with) recipe informationassociated with the ingredient. The machine-readable component 5227 (orany of the machine-readable components described herein) can be anysuitable component that can be read by or that can transmit informationto the electronic circuit system 5900. For example, in some embodiments,the machine-readable component 5227 (or any of the machine-readablecomponents described herein) can be a bar code, a QR code™ and/or anaddress of a website. In other embodiments, the machine-readablecomponent 5227 (or any of the machine-readable components describedherein) can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured tooutput an electronic signal that is read by the electronic circuitsystem 5900 (e.g., by the recipe module 5931 or any other module of theelectronic circuit system 5900). Such RFID tags can be read-only, or canalso be writable, and can be either a passive RFID tag or an active RFIDtag. In yet other embodiments, the machine-readable component 5227 (orany of the machine-readable components described herein) can be anyother suitable tag or chip configured to output an electronic signalthat is read by the electronic circuit system 5900.

In some embodiments, the machine-readable component 5227 can also be awritable component. In other words, in some embodiments, the electroniccircuit system 5900 can write information to the machine-readablecomponent 5227, such as, for example, to increment a quantity of cookeditems prepared, a date stamp, a time stamp, or the like. In this manner,when the ingredient container 5205 is used in subsequent operations(and/or with different cooking systems), the updated information can beread into the electronic circuit system 5900.

Although the machine-readable component 5227 is shown as being coupledto the package 5210 that is directly placed into the housing 5100, inother embodiments, the machine-readable component 5227 (and any of themachine-readable components described herein) can be coupled to anyportion of the ingredient container 5205. For example, in someembodiments, the ingredient container 5205 can include an outer package(not shown) or peelable label to which the machine-readable component5227. In such embodiments, for example, the outer package or peelablelabel can be removed from about the package 5210 and placed in proximityto the electronic circuit system 5900.

The recipe information can include any suitable information that is readby the electronic circuit system 5900, and that is associated with thepreparation of one or more cooked items. For example, in someembodiments, the recipe information can include an amount of theingredient used in the preparation of one cooked item (e.g., a weight offlour used to prepare one roti). In other embodiments, the recipeinformation can include an amount of additional ingredients (i.e., thosenot included within the package 5210, such as, for example, oil andwater) used in the preparation of one cooked item. Such additionalamounts can be unique to the specific ingredient contained within thepackage. For example, in some embodiments, the recipe information caninclude one or more characteristics of the ingredient contained withinthe package 5210, such as, a moisture content, a granularity of theingredient, a specific type of the ingredient (e.g., type of flour), orthe like. In such instances, the additional amounts of other ingredientsmay be dependent on such characteristics, and therefore may vary fordifferent packages.

In some embodiments, the recipe information can include any informationassociated with the metering, mixing, or cooking of the ingredients(including those stored within the package 5210 or those received fromother sources). For example, in some embodiments, the recipe informationcan include a cook time and/or temperature associated with theingredient used in the preparation of one cooked item. In otherembodiments, the recipe information can include a mixing time or mixingspeed associated with the ingredient used in the mixing of theingredients.

In some embodiments, the recipe information can include an expirationdate of the ingredient contain within the package 5210. In this manner,as described herein, the electronic circuit system 5900 (e.g., theinput/output module 5934) can produce an expiration output when theexpiration date has passed.

In some embodiments, the recipe information can include a maximumquantity or maximum number of services associated with the package 5210.For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient container 5205 canstore an amount of the ingredient sufficient to make any suitable numberof cooked items. For example, in some embodiments, the ingredientcontainer 5205 can contain a sufficient amount of flour to make up toforty roti. Accordingly, the recipe information can include this maximumquantity (e.g., the total number of cooked items available from theingredient container 5205 and/or the total weight of the ingredientavailable for use). In this manner, the electronic circuit system 5900can increment (or count) the total number of cooked items produced fromthe ingredient container 5205. In some embodiments, the cooking system5000 and/or the electronic circuit system 5900 can include a “lockoutmodule” that compares the actual serving number (or quantity of cookeditems prepared) with the maximum serving number (or maximum quantity),and can disable the cooking device 5000 when the actual serving number(or quantity) is greater than the maximum serving number (or maximumquantity). In this manner, the cooking system 5000 can limit thelikelihood that counterfeit (or non-authorized) ingredient containerscan be used. This advantageously reduces the likelihood that ingredientsof a lesser quality or ingredients that are not appropriate for thegiven recipe information will be used.

In some embodiments, all or a portion of the recipe information can beencrypted. In such embodiments, the electronic circuit system 5900(e.g., the recipe module 5931) can decrypt the recipe information. Inthis manner, the cooking system 5000 can limit the likelihood that therecipe information will be received by an unauthorized system,overwritten, or otherwise used improperly. This advantageously enhancesthe quality of the cooked items by maintaining the integrity of therecipe information.

The ingredient metering assembly 5200 is configured to convey a firstamount of the ingredient from the ingredient container 5205 into themixing assembly 5300. The ingredient metering assembly 5200 is alsoconfigured to convey a first amount of the ingredient from theingredient container 5205 into the mixing assembly 5300. The ingredientmetering assembly 5200 functions to supply the ingredients necessary toproduce the cooked item, and can be similar to any of the ingredientmetering (or supply) assemblies shown and described herein. For example,in some embodiments, the ingredient metering assembly 5200 can includeone or more electronically controlled valves (e.g., to deliver a liquidingredient), one or more pumps (e.g., a peristaltic pump, a piston pump,or the like, to delivery one or more ingredients), and one or moremotors (e.g., to manipulate the ingredient container 5205). Theingredient metering assembly 5200 can also include one or more scalesconfigured to measure an amount of an ingredient conveyed, based on therecipe information. The ingredient metering assembly 5200 can be, forexample, the ingredient metering assembly 1200 or the ingredientmetering assembly 3200.

The mixing assembly 5300 is configured to mix at least the firstingredient and the second ingredient to form an ingredient mixture. Themixing assembly 5300 can be similar to any of the ingredient metering(or supply) assemblies shown and described herein, such as the mixingbowl assembly 1300 and the mixing assembly 3300. In some embodiments,the mixing assembly 5300 can include a bowl or other structure thatdefines a mixing volume (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) within which theingredients can be mixed. The bowl or other structure can include anysuitable features to facilitate mixing, such as, for example, ribs,contoured surfaces, or the like. Moreover, the mixing assembly 5300 caninclude one or more movable components that mix, stir, or agitate theingredients within the mixing volume. For example, in some embodiments,the mixing assembly 5300 (and any of the mixing assemblies describedherein) can include a motor (e.g., a stepper motor) that moves the bowlor structure that defines the mixing volume. In this manner, the mixingassembly 5300 can include a vibratory mixing function to prepare theingredient mixture. In other embodiments, the mixing assembly 5300 caninclude a movable blade, paddle, or whisk that moves relative to (andwithin) the mixing volume.

The cooking assembly 5500 is configured to heat the ingredient mixtureto produce the cooked item. Similarly stated, the cooking assembly 5500is configured to cook the ingredient mixture produced by the mixingassembly 5300 at a cook temperature and for a cook time to produce thedesired type of cooked item. The cooking assembly 5500 (and any of thecooking assemblies described herein) can heat (or cook) the ingredientmixture in in any suitable manner, such as, for example, by baking,broiling, frying, or any other known cooking technique. Thus, thecooking assembly 5500 includes at least one heating surface (not shown)that can heat the ingredient mixture to the desired temperature toproduce the cooked item (shown as the item BR in FIG. 2). The cookingassembly 5500 can be similar to any of the ingredient metering (orsupply) assemblies shown and described herein, such as the cookingassembly 1500 and the cooking assembly 3500. In some embodiments, thecooking assembly 5500 can include one or more platens or heatingsurfaces of the types shown and described herein. In some embodiments,the cooking assembly 5500 can include any number of sensors (e.g.,thermistors, thermocouples, or the like) to provide feedback to theelectronic circuit system 5900.

The electronic circuit system 5900 can be coupled to and/or within ahousing 5100 or any other portion of the cooking system 5000. Theelectronic circuit system 5900 includes a processor 5921, a memory 5922,one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, mass sensors, etc.; notshown), and any other electronic components to accomplish the functionsdescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the electroniccircuit system can include an of a radio, an antenna, and/or atransceiver to send and/or receive wireless signals associated with theoperation of the cooking system 5000 (e.g., via the input/output module5934). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic circuit system 5900also includes a recipe module 5931, a mix module 5932 (also referred toas a metering module), a cook module 5933, and an input/output module5934. Although shown as including each of these application modules, inother embodiments, an electronic circuit system need not include all (orany) of these modules, and can include any other modules describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, an electronic circuit systemof a cooking system includes only a recipe module 5931 and a cook module5933, and is configured to perform the methods of flipping theingredient mixture during cooking, as disclosed herein. Alternatively,in other embodiments, an electronic circuit system includes only therecipe module 5931 and the mix module 5932.

The processor 5921, and any of the processors described herein can beany suitable processor for performing the methods described herein. Insome embodiments, processor 5921 can be configured to run and/or executeapplication modules, processes and/or functions associated with thecooking system 5000. For example, the processor 5921 can be configuredto run and/or execute the recipe module 5931, the mix module 5932, thecook module 5933, the input/output module 5934, and/or any of the othermodules described herein, and perform the methods associated therewith.The processor 5921 can be, for example, a Field Programmable Gate Array(FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a DigitalSignal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor 5921 can beconfigured to retrieve data from and/or write data to memory, e.g., thememory 5922. In some embodiments, the processor 5921 can cooperativelyfunction with a radio (not shown) and/or execute instructions from codeto provide signals to communicatively couple the electronic circuitsystem 5900 to a remote computing device, as shown in FIG. 2 (e.g., viawireless communication). In some embodiments, the processor 5921 is aBluetooth® low energy (BLE) processor, for example a processor suitableor configured specifically to execute the Bluetooth® v4.0 low energystack.

The memory 5922 can be, for example, random access memory (RAM), memorybuffers, hard drives, databases, erasable programmable read only memory(EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROMs),read only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disks, floppy disks, cloudstorage, and/or so forth. In some embodiments, the memory 5922 storesinstructions to cause the processor 5921 to execute modules, processesand/or functions associated with the cooking system 5000. For example,the memory 5922 can store instructions to cause the processor 5921 toexecute any of the application modules described herein, and perform themethods associated therewith.

The recipe module 5931 can be a hardware and/or software module (storedin memory 5922 and/or executed in the processor 5921). The recipe module5931 is configured to receive the recipe information from themachine-readable component 5227 of the ingredient container 5205. Therecipe module 5931 can store the recipe information in the memory 5922,and can also include additional information associated with the recipeinformation, such as, for example, adjustments in the cook time,adjustments in the cook temperature (e.g., to compensate for altitudechanges), etc. The recipe module 5931 interacts with (or functionscooperatively with) the input/output module 5934 to receive the recipeinformation. For example, in some embodiments, the input/output module5931 receives the recipe information from an antenna of the electroniccircuit system 5900. In other embodiments, the input/output module 5931receives the recipe information via an optical scanner of the electroniccircuit system 5900.

The mix module 5932 (also referred to as a metering module) can be ahardware and/or software module (stored in memory 5922 and/or executedin the processor 5921). The mix module 5932 is configured to produce afirst metering signal to actuate the ingredient metering assembly 5200to convey the first amount of the first ingredient, based on the recipeinformation (which includes the first amount), into the mixing volume.The first metering signal can be, for example, an electrical signalreceived by a motor, a valve, or any other electromechanical device thatconveys the first ingredient from the ingredient container 5205 into themixing volume. For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient meteringassembly 5200 includes a motor that manipulates and/or moves theingredient container 5205 in response to the first metering signal toconvey the first amount of the first ingredient into the mixing volume.The motor (not shown) can, for example, rotate the package 5210, move aplunger within the package 5210, deform the package 5210, or otherwisemanipulate the package 5210 to convey the first ingredient from therein.The mix module 5932 is configured to produce a second metering signal toactuate the ingredient metering assembly 5200 to convey the secondamount of the second ingredient, based on the recipe information (whichincludes the second amount), into the mixing volume. The secondingredient can be stored outside of the ingredient container 5205. Forexample, in some embodiments, the second ingredient can be a liquid,such as oil or water, that is stored within a reservoir (not shown) ofthe cooking system 5000. The second metering signal can be, for example,an electrical signal received by a motor, a valve, or any otherelectromechanical device that conveys the second ingredient into themixing volume. For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient meteringassembly 5200 includes a valve that, when actuated in response to thesecond metering signal, allows a flow of the second ingredient into themixing volume.

In some embodiments, the mix module 5932 can produce a mix signal toactuate the mixing assembly 5300 to mix the first ingredient and thesecond ingredient within the mixing volume to produce an ingredientmixture. The mix signal can be, for example, an electrical signalreceived by a motor, a valve, or any other electromechanical device thatmixes, agitates, and/or stirs the ingredients within the mixing volume.For example, in some embodiments, the mixing assembly 5300 includes amotor that manipulates and/or moves a mixing member (not shown) inresponse to the mixing signal to mix the ingredients within the mixingvolume. The mix module 5932 can control the characteristics of themixing process, such as the mixing speed, duration, or the like.

The cook module 5933 can be a hardware and/or software module (stored inmemory 5922 and/or executed in the processor 5921). The cook module 5933is configured to produce a one or more cook signals to actuate thecooking assembly 5500 to cook the ingredient mixture. The cook signalscan be, for example, an electrical signal received by a motor, a heatingelement, or any other device that can flatten the ingredient mixture,heat the ingredient mixture for a predetermined time, or the like. Forexample, in some embodiments, the cooking assembly 5500 includes a firstplaten having a first heating surface and a second platen having asecond heating surface. The cook module 5933 can produce a first cooksignal that heats the first heating surface to cook a first side of theingredient mixture for a first amount of time. The cook module 5933 canproduce a second cook signal that heats the second heating surface tocook a second side of the ingredient mixture for a second amount oftime. In other embodiments, the cooking assembling can include a platenactuator assembly (not shown) configured to rotate the cooking assemblybetween a first orientation and a second orientation. The first heatingsurface is below the second heating surface when the cooking assembly isin the first orientation, and the second heating surface is below thefirst heating surface when the cooking assembly is in the secondorientation. The cook module 5933 can produce a cook signal received bythe platen actuator assembly, which then rotates the cooking assemblybetween the first orientation and the second orientation. In thismanner, the cook module 5933 can control the flipping or rotating of theingredient mixture during the cooking process.

The input/output module 5934 can be a hardware and/or software module(stored in memory 5922 and/or executed in the processor 5921). Theinput/output module 5934 is configured to receive one or more signals(e.g., from the machine-readable tag 5527, from a mobile device, or froma user interface). The signals can be associated with the recipeinformation, a start timer, a number of cooked items to be produced orthe like. For example, in some embodiments, the user can scan orotherwise read the machine-readable tag 2227 using either a portion ofthe control system 2900 or a mobile communication device (e.g., acellular phone) to access instructions. In other embodiments, the user'scellular phone can be placed in communication with (or “paired with”)the input/output module 5934. In this manner, the user can controland/or monitor the cooking process via an application stored locally ontheir mobile phone that provides detailed instructions unique to thatuser.

The input/output module 5934 is configured to produce one or more outputsignals. Such output signals can include, for example, signals toproduce a light output or a sound output (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In otherembodiments, an output signal produced by the input/output module 5934can a wireless signal to be received by a mobile computing device. Theinput/output module 5934 interacts with (or functions cooperativelywith) a radio to produce such wireless signals. Such wireless signalscan be any suitable type of signal, and can be produced according to anysuitable protocol. For example, in some embodiments, the input/outputmodule 5934 can produce a short-range wireless signal (e.g., accordingto the Bluetooth® protocol).

In some embodiments, the input/output module 5934 is configured toproduce an expiration output when an expiration date associated with theingredient container 5205 has passed.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 10 of preparing a cooked item,according to an embodiment. The method 10 can be performed by thecooking system 5000 or any of the cooking systems described herein(e.g., the cooking system 1000 or the cooking system 3000). Moreover,although the method 10 is described in connection with the recipe module5931, the mix module 5932, and/or the cook module 5934, in otherembodiments, the method 10 can be performed in connection with anymodule described herein. The method 10 includes inserting an ingredientcontainer into a cooking device (e.g., the cooking system 5000), at 11.The ingredient container can be, for example, the ingredient container5205, and contains a first ingredient. Additionally, the ingredientcontainer is associated with a machine-readable component (e.g., themachine-readable component 5227) storing recipe information associatedwith the first ingredient. The recipe information can be any of therecipe information described herein, such as for example, a a firstamount of the first ingredient, a second amount of a second ingredient,a cook temperature, and/or a cook time.

The cooking device is then actuated, at 12, to perform the followingfunctions. First, a recipe module of the cooking device receives therecipe information from the machine-readable component, at 14. Therecipe module can be, for example, the recipe module 5931 as describedabove. Next, a first amount of the first ingredient is mixed with asecond amount of a second ingredient to produce an ingredient mixture,at 15. The first amount and the second amount are based on the recipeinformation. In this manner, the recipe information read in by thecooking device can be used to automatically (or semi-automatically) mixthe desired ingredients. Similarly stated, in some embodiments, themethod includes mixing the first amount and the second amount without auser input (e.g., beyond simply actuating the device). In someembodiments, the mixing can be controlled by the mix module 5932 asdescribed above. The ingredient mixture is then cooked at a temperaturefor a cook time, at 16. The temperature and the cook time are based onthe recipe information. In this manner, the recipe information read inby the cooking device can be used to automatically (orsemi-automatically) cook the desired ingredients. In some embodiments,the cooking can be controlled by the cook module 5932 as describedabove. Similarly stated, in some embodiments, the method includescooking the ingredient mixture amount without a user input (e.g., beyondsimply actuating the device).

In some embodiments, upon actuating the cooking device, the deviceoptionally produces an expiration output when an expiration date haspassed, at 17. The expiration date can be included within the recipeinformation. In this manner, the method can limit the likelihood thatexpired ingredients are used to make the cooked item(s).

In some embodiments, the recipe information includes a maximum servingnumber (or quantity) associated with the ingredient container. In suchembodiments, the actuating the cooking device further causes a lockoutmodule of the cooking device to perform additional functions, at 18.Specifically, the lockout module can A) increment an actual servingnumber associated with the ingredient container; B) compare the actualserving number with the maximum serving number; and C) disable thecooking device when the actual serving number is greater than themaximum serving number.

The cooking device can be actuated by manually pressing a start buttonon the cooking device. In other embodiments, the cooking device can beactuated by receiving a start signal from a mobile computing device, orany other suitable mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, thecooking device can be actuated by indicating (or selecting) a number ofcooked items to be prepared. In such embodiments, the method can berepeated a desired number of times based on the number of cooked itemsto be prepared.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 20 of preparing a cooked item,according to an embodiment. The method 20 can be performed by thecooking system 5000 or any of the cooking systems described herein(e.g., the cooking system 1000 or the cooking system 3000). Moreover,although the method 20 is described in connection with the recipe module5931, the mix module 5932, and/or the cook module 5934, in otherembodiments, the method 20 can be performed in connection with anymodule described herein. The method 20 includes receiving, from amachine-readable component of an ingredient container, recipeinformation associated with a first ingredient stored within theingredient container, at 21. The machine-readable component can be anyof the machine-readable components described herein, including themachine-readable component 5227. In some embodiments, themachine-readable component can be any one of a wirelesslymachine-readable component, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag,a bar code, or a Quick Response (QR) code. The recipe informationincludes a first amount of the first ingredient, a second amount of asecond ingredient, a cook temperature, and a cook time.

A first metering signal associated with the first amount is transmittedto a metering assembly of a cooking device, at 22. The meteringassembly, which can be the metering assembly 5200 or any other meteringassemblies described herein, is configured to dispense the first amountof the first ingredient into a mixing volume (or bowl) of the cookingdevice in response to the first metering signal. A second meteringsignal associated with the second amount is transmitted to the meteringassembly, at 23. The metering assembly is configured to dispense thesecond amount of the second ingredient into the mixing bowl in responseto the second metering signal. In some embodiments, the method caninclude receiving a feedback signal associated with either the firstamount or the second amount, and adjusting either the first meteringsignal or the second metering signal in response to the feedback signal.

A cook signal associated with the cook temperature and the cook time isthen transmitted to a cooking assembly of the cooking device, at 24. Thecooking assembly, which can be the cooking assembly 5500 or any othercooking assembly described herein, is configured to cook an ingredientmixture of the first ingredient and the second ingredient based on thecook signal. In some embodiments, the cook signal can cause the cookingassembly to selectively heat one or more heating surfaces, as describedherein. In some embodiments, the cook signal can cause the cookingassembly to flip or rotate one or more cooking surface (including theingredient mixture), as described herein.

In some embodiments, the method optionally includes sending, from aradio of the cooking device, a wireless signal associated with anoperation of the cooking device, at 25. The wireless signal can bereceived by a mobile computing device, as shown for example, in FIG. 2.In some embodiments, the method optionally includes receiving, from amobile computing device, a wireless signal associated with an operationof the cooking device, at 26.

FIGS. 5-9 are schematic illustrations of a portion of a cooking system6000 (also referred to herein as a “cooking device 6000”) according toan embodiment. The cooking system 6000 includes a housing or supportsurface 6150 that can support the cooking system 6000 on a countertop orother work surface. Thus, the cooking system 6000 can be a portablecountertop appliance used to produce one or more cooked items, asdescribed herein. The cooking system 6000 includes cooking assembly 6500and a platen actuator assembly 6550. As described herein, the cookingassembly 6500 is designed to press, cook, and flip an ingredient mixture(e.g., dough) to produce a cooked item (e.g., a flat bread). The cookingassembly 6500 can be included within any of the cooking systemsdescribed herein. For example, the cooking assembly 6500 can be acooking assembly similar to those shown in connection with the cookingsystem 3000 described or the cooking system 1000 described below.Specifically, as described herein, the cooking assembly 6500 flips (orrotates) the ingredient mixture during cooking to emulate the manualcooking process. The cooking assembly 6500 is configured to cook theingredient mixture one side-at-a-time at a cook temperature and for acook time to produce the desired type of cooked item. The cookingassembly 6500 (and any of the cooking assemblies described herein) canheat (or cook) the ingredient mixture in in any suitable manner, suchas, for example, by baking, broiling, frying, or any other known cookingtechnique. Although the cooked item is described herein as flat bread,any of the cooked items described herein can be, for example, a breadproduct of any type, including flatbread, tortillas, bagels, or pitabread. The cooked item need not be limited to flour-based breads, butcan include baked products of any type, including, but not limited tocorn-based bread, rice products, or other gluten-free baked products.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cooking assembly 6500 includes a first platen6510 and a second platen 6530. The first platen 6510 and the secondplaten 6530 can include generally flat surfaces that can exert apressure or force on an ingredient mixture MIX to flatten, press, orotherwise manipulate the ingredient mixture MIX for cooking. The firstplaten 6510 has a first flattening mass 6511 and a first heating surface6520. The second platen has a second flattening mass 6531 and a secondheating surface 6540. The first flattening mass 6511 and the secondflattening mass 6531 can be any suitable structure that can transfer aforce to the ingredient mixture MIX to flatten, shape, or otherwisepress the ingredient mixture. For example, in some embodiments, eitheror both of the first flattening mass 6511 and the second flattening mass6531 can be flat rigid structures that can exert a press force of atleast 200 pounds (890 N), 400 pounds (1.78 kN), 500 pounds (2.22 kN), or600 pounds (2.67 kN). In some embodiments, either or both of the firstflattening mass 6511 and the second flattening mass 6531 can becontoured to ensure that the maximum force is applied evenly across thesurface of the platens. In other embodiments, either or both of thefirst flattening mass 6511 and the second flattening mass 6531 can becoupled to the platen actuator assembly 6550 via multiple locations toensure spatial uniformity of the applied force. The first heatingsurface 6520 and the second heating surface 6540 can include suitablestructure, heating elements, or the like to heat the ingredient mixtureMIX to produce a cooked item. For example, in some embodiments, eitheror both of the first heating surface 6520 and the second heating surface6540 can be similar to any of the heating surfaces described herein(e.g., the heating surface 1520 or the heating surface 3520).

The second platen 6510 coupled to the first platen 6530 such that thefirst heating surface 6520 and the second heating surface 6540 define aplaten volume 6501 within which the ingredient mixture MIX can bedisposed. For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient mixture MIXcan be conveyed from any other portion of the cooking system 6000, suchas for example a mixing assembly (not shown, but which can be similar tothe mixing assembly 5300 or any of the mixing assemblies describedherein). In some embodiments, all or a portion of the either the firstplaten 6510 and the second platen 6530 can move to capture theingredient mixture MIX within the platen volume 6501. For example, insome embodiments, the first heating surface 6520 can move relative tothe first flattening mass 6511 to limit movement of the ingredientmixture within the platen volume 6501.

The platen actuator assembly 6550 is configured to move at least one ofthe first platen 6510 or the second platen 6530 to reduce the platenvolume 6501 to place the cooking assembly 6500 in a flatteningconfiguration (FIG. 6). For example, as shown by the arrows AA in FIG.6, the platen actuator assembly 6550 can move the platens towards eachother to reduce the platen volume 6501. Specifically, the first heatingsurface 6520 and the second heating surface 6540 each contact theingredient mixture MIX when the cooking assembly 6500 is in theflattening configuration. In this manner, the first platen 6510 or thesecond platen 6530 can exert a force on the ingredient mixture MIX. Theplaten actuator assembly 6550 can include any suitable mechanism to movethe first platen 6510 and/or the second platen 6530, such as forexample, one or more motors, lead screws, hydraulic components, or thelike. The platen actuator assembly 6550 can be, for example, the platenactuator assembly 1550, the platen actuator assembly 3550, or any otherplaten actuator assembly described herein.

Referring to FIG. 7, the platen actuator assembly 6550 is configured tomove at least one of the first platen 6510 or the second platen 6530 toplace the cooking assembly 6500 in a first cooking configuration. Whenin the first cooking configuration, the first heating surface 6520 is incontact with the ingredient mixture MIX, and the second heating surface6540 is spaced apart from the ingredient mixture MIX. Similarly stated,when in the first cooking configuration, a distance between the firstheating surface 6520 and the second heating surface 6540 is greater thana thickness of the ingredient mixture. Thus, when the cooking assemblyis in the first cooking configuration the first heating surface 6520 canheat a first side of the ingredient mixture. In this manner, the cookingassembly 6500 can function both as a press to flatten or shape theingredient mixture (e.g., dough), and also to heat a single side of theingredient mixture. This arrangement allows moisture to escape from asecond side of the ingredient mixture, and also allows the ingredientmixture to expand (“puff up”) without being impeded by the second platen6530. Although FIG. 7 shows the second platen 6530 moving upward (arrowBB) to transition the cooking assembly 6500 into the first cookingconfiguration, in other embodiments, either or both of the platens canmove to transition the cooking assembly 6500.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the platen actuator assembly 6550 isconfigured to rotate at least one of the first platen 6510 or the secondplaten 6530 between a first orientation (FIG. 7) and a secondorientation (FIG. 9). When the cooking assembly 6500 is in the firstorientation, the first heating surface 6520 is below the second heatingsurface 6540. Similarly stated, when the cooking assembly 6500 is in thefirst orientation, the first heating surface 6520 is between the supportsurface 6150 and the second heating surface 6540. When the cookingassembly 6500 is in the second orientation, the first heating surface6520 is above the second heating surface 6540 (i.e., the second heatingsurface 6540 is below the first heating surface 6520). Similarly stated,when the cooking assembly 6500 is in the second orientation, the secondheating surface 6540 is between the support surface 6150 and the firstheating surface 6520. In this manner, the platen actuator assembly 6550can flip or rotate the ingredient mixture during the cooking process.

The platen actuator assembly 6550 can rotate the first platen 6510, thesecond platen 6530, or both by any suitable mechanism and in anysuitable manner. For example, as shown, the platen actuator assembly6550 is configured to rotate the cooking assembly 6500 between the firstorientation and the second orientation about an axis of rotation that isparallel to at least one of the first heating surface 6520 or the secondheating surface 6540. The platen actuator assembly 6550 can include amotor to rotate the cooking assembly 6500, a set of rollers, or thelike. Although the arrow CC in FIG. 8 shows the platen actuator assembly6550 rotating both the first platen 6510 and the second platen 6530, inother embodiments the platen actuator assembly 6550 can rotate only thefirst platen 6510 or the second platen 6530. In yet other embodiments,the platen actuator assembly 6550 can rotate the first platen 6510 andthe second platen 6530 at different times. The platen actuator assembly6550 can be controlled by an electronic circuit system similar to theelectronic circuit system 5900 described above. For example, in someembodiments, an electronic circuit system can include a cook module or aflip module that produces electronic signals or otherwise controls thespeed, timing and/or direction of rotation of the first platen 6510and/or the second platen 6530.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cooking assembly 6500 is in the secondorientation, the platen actuator assembly 6550 is configured to move atleast one of the first platen 6510 or the second platen 6530 to placethe cooking assembly 6500 in a second cooking configuration. When in thesecond cooking configuration, the second heating surface 6540 is incontact with the ingredient mixture MIX, and the first heating surface6520 is spaced apart from the ingredient mixture MIX. Similarly stated,when in the second cooking configuration, a distance between the firstheating surface 6520 and the second heating surface 6540 is greater thana thickness of the ingredient mixture. Thus, when the cooking assemblyis in the second cooking configuration the second heating surface 6540can heat the second side of the ingredient mixture. Although FIG. 9shows the first platen 6510 moving upward (arrow DD) to transition thecooking assembly 6500 into the second cooking configuration, in otherembodiments, either or both of the platens can move to transition thecooking assembly 6500.

In some embodiments, a cooking assembly can include one or more platensthat include multiple structures that can move relative to each other.This arrangement can allow the cooking assembly to perform multiplefunctions, such as retaining an ingredient mixture, applying a force topress or manipulate the ingredient mixture in a uniform manner, orconveying a cooked item from the cooking assembly to a storage assembly.For example, FIGS. 10-13 are schematic illustrations of a portion of acooking system 7000 (also referred to herein as a “cooking device 7000”)according to an embodiment. The cooking system 7000 can be a portablecountertop appliance used to produce one or more cooked items, asdescribed herein. The cooking system 7000 includes cooking assembly 7500and a platen actuator assembly 7550. As described herein, the cookingassembly 7500 is designed to receive, press, and cook an ingredientmixture (e.g., dough) to produce a cooked item (e.g., a flat bread). Thecooking assembly 7500 can be included within any of the cooking systemsdescribed herein. For example, the cooking assembly 7500 can be acooking assembly similar to those shown in connection with the cookingsystem 3000 or the cooking system 1000 described below. Specifically, asdescribed herein, the cooking assembly 7500 receives the ingredientmixture, presses (or flattens) the ingredient mixture, and includes amovable heating surface to rapidly cook the ingredient mixture. In someembodiments, the cooking assembly 7500 is configured to cook theingredient mixture one side-at-a-time at a cook temperature and for acook time to produce the desired type of cooked item. The cookingassembly 7500 (and any of the cooking assemblies described herein) canheat (or cook) the ingredient mixture in in any suitable manner, suchas, for example, by baking, broiling, frying, or any other known cookingtechnique. Although the cooked item is described herein as flat bread,any of the cooked items described herein can be, for example, a breadproduct of any type, including flatbread, tortillas, bagels, or pitabread. The cooked item need not be limited to flour-based breads, butcan include baked products of any type, including, but not limited tocorn-based bread, rice products, or other gluten-free baked products.

Referring to FIG. 10, the cooking assembly 7500 includes a first platen7510 and a second platen 7530. The first platen 7510 and the secondplaten 7530 can include generally flat surfaces that can exert apressure or force on an ingredient mixture MIX to flatten, press, orotherwise manipulate the ingredient mixture MIX for cooking. The firstplaten 7510 has a first flattening mass 7511 and a first heating surface7520. The second platen has a second flattening mass 7531 and a secondheating surface 7540. The first flattening mass 7511 and the secondflattening mass 7531 can be any suitable structure that can transfer aforce to the ingredient mixture MIX to flatten, shape, or otherwisepress the ingredient mixture. For example, in some embodiments, eitheror both of the first flattening mass 7511 and the second flattening mass7531 can be flat rigid structures that can exert a press force of atleast 200 pounds (890 N), 400 pounds (1.78 kN), 500 pounds (2.22 kN), or700 pounds (2.67 kN). In some embodiments, either or both of the firstflattening mass 7511 and the second flattening mass 7531 can becontoured to ensure that the maximum force is applied evenly across thesurface of the platens. In other embodiments, either or both of thefirst flattening mass 7511 and the second flattening mass 7531 can becoupled to the platen actuator assembly 7550 via multiple locations toensure spatial uniformity of the applied force. The first heatingsurface 7520 and the second heating surface 7540 can include suitablestructure, heating elements, or the like to heat the ingredient mixtureMIX to produce a cooked item. For example, in some embodiments, eitheror both of the first heating surface 7520 and the second heating surface7540 can be similar to any of the heating surfaces described herein(e.g., the heating surface 1520 or the heating surface 3520).

The second platen 7510 coupled to the first platen 7530 such that thefirst heating surface 7520 and the second heating surface 7540 define aplaten volume 7501 within which the ingredient mixture MIX can bedisposed. For example, in some embodiments, the ingredient mixture MIXcan be conveyed from a mixing assembly 7300, which can be similar to themixing assembly 1300, 3300, 5300 or any of the mixing assembliesdescribed herein. As described herein, the first heating surface 7520 isconfigured to move relative to the first flattening mass 7511. Forexample, the first heating surface 7520 can rotate relative to the firstflattening mass 7511 (e.g., via a hinge joint). In this manner, thecooking assembly 7500 can capture the ingredient mixture MIX within theplaten volume 7501. The movable heating surface 7520 also allows theheating surface 7520 to be spaced apart from (or thermally separatedfrom) the first flattening mass 7511, which allows for faster heating ofthe first heating surface 7520.

The platen actuator assembly 7550 is configured to move at least one ofthe first platen 7510 or the second platen 7530 to transition thecooking assembly 7500 from a receiving configuration (FIGS. 10 and 11)to a flattening configuration (FIG. 12). For example, as shown by thearrows EE in FIG. 10, the ingredient mixture MIX can be moved from themixing assembly 7300 into the platen volume 7501 when the cookingassembly 7500 is in the receiving configuration. As shown, when thecooking assembly 7500 is in the receiving configuration, the firstheating surface 7520 is nonparallel to at least one of the secondheating surface 7540 or the first flattening mass 7511. As shown, thefirst heating surface 7520 and the second heating surface 7540 define awedge angle θ. This arrangement can capture or limit movement of theingredient mixture MIX within the platen volume 7501. For example, asshown in FIG. 11, the wedge angle θ can limit movement of the ingredientmixture MIX in the direction FF. The wedge angle θ can be any suitableangle, for example, ranging from 10 degrees to 45 degrees. Moreover, thewedge angle θ can be selected (or controlled) to align a center of theingredient mixture MIX with a center of one of the first platen 7510 orthe second platen 7530. This allows the ingredient mixture to berepeatably placed in a desired position to allow for proper flattening.

As shown in FIG. 12, the platen actuator assembly 7550 can move theplatens towards each other to reduce the platen volume 7501 and placethe cooking assembly 7500 in the flattening configuration. When thecooking assembly 7500 is in the flattening configuration, the firstheating surface 7520 is parallel to the second heating surface 7540.Additionally, the first heating surface 7520 and the second heatingsurface 7540 each contact the ingredient mixture MIX when the cookingassembly 7500 is in the flattening configuration. In this manner, thefirst platen 7510 or the second platen 7530 can exert a force on theingredient mixture MIX. The platen actuator assembly 7550 can includeany suitable mechanism to move the first platen 7510 and/or the secondplaten 7530, such as for example, one or more motors, lead screws,hydraulic components, or the like. The platen actuator assembly 7550 canbe, for example, the platen actuator assembly 1550, the platen actuatorassembly 3550, or any other platen actuator assembly described herein.

Referring to FIG. 13, the platen actuator assembly 7550 is configured tomove at least one of the first platen 7510 or the second platen 7530 toplace the cooking assembly 7500 in a first cooking configuration. Whenin the first cooking configuration, the first heating surface 7520 is incontact with the ingredient mixture MIX, and the second heating surface7540 is spaced apart from the ingredient mixture MIX. Similarly stated,when in the first cooking configuration, a distance between the firstheating surface 7520 and the second heating surface 7540 is greater thana thickness of the ingredient mixture. Thus, when the cooking assemblyis in the first cooking configuration the first heating surface 7520 canheat a first side of the ingredient mixture. In this manner, the cookingassembly 7500 can function both as a press to flatten or shape theingredient mixture (e.g., dough), and also to heat a single side of theingredient mixture. This arrangement allows moisture to escape from asecond side of the ingredient mixture, and also allows the ingredientmixture to expand (“puff up”) without being impeded by the second platen7530.

Additionally, when the cooking assembly 7500 is transitioned to thefirst cooking configuration, the first heating surface 7520 movesrelative to the first flattening mass 7511, as shown by the arrow HH. Inthis manner, the first heating surface 7520 can be spaced apart from thefirst flattening mass 7511 when the first heating surface is actuated toheat the first ingredient mixture MIX. This arrangement allows thethermal mass of the heating element to include only the first heatingsurface 7520, and not the first flattening mass 7511. Thisadvantageously allows the first heating surface 7520 to be heated (andcooled) more rapidly than if the first heating surface 7520 remained inconstant contact with the first flattening mass 7511. This arrangementalso allows the first flattening mass 7511 to provide the desiredrigidity to the first heating surface 7520 during the flatteningprocess.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method 30 of preparing a cooked item,according to an embodiment. The method 30 can be performed by thecooking system 6000, 7000 or any of the cooking systems described herein(e.g., the cooking system 1000 or the cooking system 3000). The method30 includes conveying an ingredient mixture into a platen volume definedby a cooking assembly, at 31. The cooking assembly includes a firstplaten and a second platen, which can be, for example, the first platen6510 and the second platen 6530. The platen volume is defined between afirst heating surface of the first platen and a second heating surfaceof the second platen.

At least one of the first platen or the second platen is moved to placethe cooking assembly in a flattening configuration, at 32. The firstheating surface and the second heating surface are each in contact withthe ingredient mixture when the cooking assembly is in the flatteningconfiguration. The cooking assembly is then rotated between a firstorientation and a second orientation, at 33. The first heating surfaceis below the second heating surface when the cooking assembly is in thefirst orientation, and the second heating surface is below the firstheating surface when the cooking assembly is in the second orientation.

In some embodiments, the method optionally includes moving at least oneof the first platen or the second platen to place the cooking assemblyin a first cooking configuration when the cooking assembly is in thefirst orientation, at 34. The first heating surface is in contact withthe ingredient mixture and the second heating surface spaced apart fromthe ingredient mixture when the cooking assembly is in the first cookingconfiguration. In some embodiments, the method optionally includesheating, via the first heating surface, the ingredient mixture when thecooking assembly is in the first cooking configuration, at 35.

In some embodiments, a cooking assembly can include a multi-functioncontainer assembly. For example, in some embodiments, a cooking systemcan include a container assembly that functions both to easily weighingredients therein and also to provide a sealed container suitable formixing. In other embodiments, a cooking system can include a containerassembly that transitions to a configuration to facilitate movement ofan ingredient mixture into a cooking assembly. For example, FIGS. 15-17are schematic illustrations of a portion of a cooking system 8000 (alsoreferred to herein as a “cooking device 8000”) according to anembodiment. The cooking system 8000 can be a portable countertopappliance used to produce one or more cooked items, as described herein.The cooking system 8000 includes container assembly 8300. As describedherein, the container assembly 8300 is designed to transition between ameasurement configuration, a mixing configuration, and a deliveryconfiguration. The container assembly 8300 can be included within any ofthe cooking systems described herein. For example, the containerassembly 8300 can be a cooking assembly similar to those shown inconnection with the cooking system 3000 or the cooking system 1000described below. Although the cooked item is described herein as flatbread, any of the cooked items described herein can be, for example, abread product of any type, including flatbread, tortillas, bagels, orpita bread. The cooked item need not be limited to flour-based breads,but can include baked products of any type, including, but not limitedto corn-based bread, rice products, or other gluten-free baked products.

Referring to FIG. 15, the container assembly 8300 includes a firstcontainer 8310 that includes a wall 8311 and a second container 8340that includes a wall 8341. The first container 8310 and the secondcontainer 8340 define a mixing volume 8305 within which a firstingredient I1 and a second ingredient I2 can be conveyed. The firstingredient I1 can be, for example, a dry ingredient (e.g., flour)conveyed into the mixing volume 8305 (as shown by the arrow II) by ametering assembly (e.g., including a flour container or the like) asdescribed herein. The second ingredient I2 can be, for example, a liquidingredient (e.g., water or oil) conveyed into the mixing volume 8305 (asshown by the arrow JJ) by a metering assembly (e.g., including areservoir, valve, or the like) as described herein.

Either the first container 8310, the second container 8340, or bothinclude a coupling portion 8320 that movably couples the secondcontainer 8340 to the first container 8310. The coupling portion 8320can be any suitable structure or mechanism that allows the containerassembly 8300 to transition between a measurement configuration (FIG.15), a mix configuration (FIG. 16), and a delivery configuration (FIG.17). For example, in some embodiments, the coupling portion 8320 caninclude a slot and a pin matingly disposed within the slot in a mannerthat allows the second container 8340 to rotate and translate relativeto the first container 8310. In other embodiments, the coupling portion8320 can include a resilient member (e.g., a spring or elastic member)that allows the second container 8340 to move relative to the firstcontainer 8310 with multiple degrees of freedom.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the container assembly is in the measurementconfiguration, the second container 8340 is unsupported by the firstcontainer 8310. Similarly stated, the second container 8340 can moverelative to the first container 8310 in a manner that such that thefirst container 8310 does not bear any weight or load of the secondcontainer 8340. As shown, when the container assembly is in themeasurement configuration, a seal surface 8348 of the second container8340 is spaced apart from a seal surface 8322 of the first container8310. In this manner, the second container 8340 can freely rest againsta load cell (not shown). The load cell can produce a signal associatedwith an amount of the first ingredient I1 or the second ingredient I2within the container assembly 8300. For example, in some embodiments,the signal can be input to a metering module (e.g., a metering module5932), which can control a metering assembly (e.g., motors, valves, orthe like) to add additional amounts of the first ingredient I1 or thesecond ingredient I2.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the container assembly 8300 is in the mixconfiguration, the second container 8340 is firmly contacted against thefirst container 8310. Specifically, the seal surface 8322 of the firstcontainer 8310 is in contact with the seal surface 8348 of the secondcontainer 8340. The seal surfaces can include any structure or mechanismto seal the mixing volume 8305, such as, for example, o-rings, gaskets,or the like. This arrangement allows the container assembly 8300 to beplaced in a spill-proof (or fluidically isolated) configuration formixing. As shown, in some embodiments, a mixing assembly 8400 can bemoved within the mixing volume 8305 to produce an ingredient mixture MIXof the first ingredient I1 and the second ingredient I2. The mixingassembly 8400 can be any suitable mixing assembly of the types shown anddescribed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the mixing assemblycan be similar to the mixing assembly 1400 or the mixing assembly 3400.For example, in some embodiments, the mixing assembly 8400 includes apaddle having a first portion and a second portion. The first portioncan rotate relative to the container assembly, and the second portioncan move relative to the first portion to produce the ingredient mixtureMIX.

After the ingredient mixture MIX is produced within the mixing volume8305, the container assembly 8300 can be transitioned to the deliveryconfiguration. As shown in FIG. 17, when the container assembly 8300 isin the mix configuration, the seal surface 8322 is spaced apart from theseal surface 8348, the two seal surfaces define a tilt angle β. In thismanner, the container assembly 8300 facilitates transfer of theingredient mixture MIX from the container assembly 8300 into anotherportion of the cooking device 8000 (e.g., a cooking assembly, notshown), as shown by the arrow KK. The tilt angle β can be any suitablevalue, and can range from about 10 degrees to 45 degrees.

In some embodiments, an apparatus includes any of the assembliesdescribed herein (e.g., a container assembly, a cooking assembly, and anelectronic circuit system). In some embodiments, an apparatus caninclude three, four, or five subassemblies contained within a housingsuch that the apparatus is a countertop appliance. Such subassembliescan include an ingredient metering assembly, a mixing bowl assembly, amixing actuator assembly, a cooking assembly, and an electronicassembly. As one example, FIGS. 18-38 are various views of a countertopdevice 1000 (also referred to as a bread maker or a flatbread maker)according to an embodiment. The bread maker 1000 includes a housing1100, within which a variety of modules (or assemblies) are contained.Specifically, the bread maker 1000 includes an ingredient meteringassembly 1200, a mixing bowl assembly 1300, a mixing actuator assembly1400, a cooking assembly 1500, and a control/electronic assembly 1900. Adescription of each module and/or subsystem follows. Additionally, asdescribed below, the housing 1100 includes a storage assembly (alsoreferred to as a “storage area”) within which the cooked bread can bestored.

FIGS. 18-20 show a housing 1100 of the bread maker 1000. The housing1100 includes sidewalls 1110 that define an interior volume 1111. Theinterior volume 1111 contains the five subassemblies and a storage areawhere the finished bread is stored. The housing 1100 is made of astrong, durable, heat resistant material that is lightweight and easy toclean. For example, in some embodiments, the housing 1100 can be made ofaluminum, stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, or the like. The topsurface of the housing 1100 includes a mixing motor mount 1135. Thefront surface (or sidewall) of the housing 1100 defines an opening 1125where an input/output module of the electronic assembly can be mountedto provide a user interface. The user interface can include, forexample, a touchscreen LCD or any other suitable interface.

The housing 1100 includes a frame 1130 that separates the interior ofthe housing into an upper portion 1132 and a lower portion 1133, asshown in FIG. 21. The frame 1130 includes mounting portions upon whichthe subassemblies are mounted. The frame 1130 can be made of the samematerial as the housing but, in some embodiments, also includesinsulative material to limit heat transfer from the lower portion 1133of the housing to the upper portion 1132 during use. The insulativematerial allows the apparatus to maintain consistent cookingtemperatures within the lower portion 1133, maintain the integrity ofstored ingredients, and conserve energy. The insulative material caninclude ceramic fibers, polyethylene, extruded polystyrene, andsynthetic industrial felt, polycrystalline mullite fibers, or the like.

The housing 1100 defines several access openings or “openings”) thatallow a user to access the subassemblies within the housing 1100. Asshown, each of the openings is covered by a corresponding panel or lid.There is an ingredient access panel 1121 that allows access to theingredient metering assembly 1200, a mixing bowl access panel 1122 thatallows access to the mixing bowl assembly 1300, a platen access panel1123 that allows access to the cooking assembly (not shown), and anoutput panel 1124 that allows access to both the mixing actuatorassembly 1400 and the storage area of the inner volume 1111 of thehousing where the finished bread is stored. Each of the access openingsis large enough to allow a user to add ingredients, extract the finishedflatbread product, and take out parts, such as a mixing bowl or acontainer, for cleaning. The access openings can also be large enough toallow access to the subassemblies for maintenance and cleaning. Each ofthe covers can include or be constructed from an insulative material tolimit heat transfer from a specific subassembly, such as the platensubassembly 1500. The insulative material can include ceramic fibers,polyethylene, extruded polystyrene, and synthetic industrial felt,polycrystalline mullite fibers, or the like. Each of the covers can alsoinclude a safety latch (not shown) that is coupled to the electronicassembly 1900 such that the latch is activated when the apparatus is inuse preventing a user from opening the cover.

Although not shown in FIG. 20, the storage area (or storage assembly)can include one or more insulated walls surrounding the cooked breadthat facilitate maintaining a “warming” temperature within the storagearea. In other embodiments, the storage area (or storage assembly) caninclude one or more heaters configured to maintain the storage area at adesired warming temperature. Moreover, in some embodiments, a storageassembly can include a movable tray that can be moved into and/or out ofthe opening 1111, within which cooked bread is stored.

The ingredient metering assembly 1200, shown in FIGS. 20, 21 and 23,includes a water reservoir 1250, an oil reservoir 1260, a flourcontainer assembly 1205, and a flour delivery system 1230. Theingredient metering assembly 1200 is located in the upper portion 1132of the housing 1100, and also includes the tubing, interconnects andother components to couple the ingredient metering assembly 1200 to themixing assembly 1300 and/or other assemblies within the bread maker1000. The water reservoir 1250 is configured to store water. The wateris dispensed from the water reservoir 1250 to the mixing bowl assemblythrough tubing (not shown) and the nozzle 1254 when the water deliverypump 1253 is activated. In some embodiments, the water reservoir 1250can be removably attached to the frame 1130 to allow for easy refillingand/or cleaning. In some embodiments, the water reservoir 1250 caninclude one or more filters to remove impurities from the water storedtherein.

The oil reservoir 1260 is configured to store oil. The oil is dispensedfrom the oil reservoir 1260 to the mixing bowl assembly through tubing(not shown) and the nozzle 1264 when the oil delivery pump 1263 isactivated. In some embodiments, the oil reservoir 1260 can be removablyattached to the frame 1130 to allow for easy refilling and/or cleaning.In some embodiments, the oil reservoir 1260 can include one or morefilters to remove impurities from the oil stored therein. In someembodiments, one or both of the water reservoir 1250 and the oilreservoir 1260 can include valves (not shown) that are used to controlthe flow of the liquids from the respective reservoirs.

The flour container assembly 1205 stores dry flour and seasonings and isdesigned to hold an amount of ingredients sufficient to make anysuitable number of roti. For example, in some embodiments, the flourcontainer assembly 1205 can contain a sufficient amount of flour to makeup to forty roti. In other embodiments, however, the flour containerassembly 1205 can contain a sufficient amount of flour to make up toonly about ten roti. The flour container assembly 1205 can be removedfrom the housing 1100. As shown in FIG. 24, the flour container assembly1205 includes a tube 1210, a first lid 1215 and a second lid 1225. Thetube 1210 has a first end portion 1211, a second end portion 1212, and acentral portion 1213 that defines an inner volume.

The first lid 1215 has a connection portion 1216 that connects the firstlid 1215 with the first end portion 1211 of the tube 1210. As shown inFIG. 24, the connection portion 1216 is threaded or ribbed such that thefirst lid 1215 screws onto the first end portion 1211 of the tube 1210.In some embodiments, the connection portion 1216 can be ribbed orotherwise proportioned such that the first lid is press fit into thefirst end portion 1211 of the tube 1210. The first lid 1215 is designedto allow for the release of flour in specific measurements. The firstlid 1215 includes a shield 1218 and a dispensing arm 1220. The shield1218 is designed so that a specific amount of flour can be dispensedfrom the inner volume of the tube 1210 when the tube 1210 is rotated, asdescribed below. Specifically, the shield 1218 defines an outlet slot1219 on one side of the shield through which the flour can exit theinner volume of the tube 1210. The outlet slot 1219 is located adjacentto the dispensing arm 1220 which funnels, directs and/or conveys theflour from the outlet slot 1219 to the outlet opening (not shown)defined by the first lid 1215.

The second lid 1225 of the flour container assembly 1210 includes aconnection portion 1226 that is threaded such that the second lid 1225screws onto the second end portion 1212 of the tube 1210. In someembodiments, the connection portion can be ribbed or otherwiseproportioned such that the second lid 1225 is press fit into the secondend portion of the tube 1210. The second lid 1225 also includes amachine-readable tag 1227 located on the outer surface of the second lid1225. The machine-readable tag 1227 provides the apparatus 1000 withinstructions such as the amount of each ingredient—flour, water, andoil—that is needed for a recipe, the time required for mixing theingredients, the cooking temperature and time required for the recipe,and the like. The machine-readable tag 1227 is read by the electronicassembly 1900, as described in detail herein. The machine-readable codecan be, for example, an RFID chip, a bar code, a QR code™ and/or anaddress of a website.

As described in more detail below, the user can scan or otherwise readthe machine-readable tag 1227 using either a portion of the controlsystem 1900 or a mobile communication device (e.g., a cellular phone) toaccess instructions. For example, in some embodiments, upon scanning themachine-readable tag 1227, the user's cellular phone will be directed toa website or other location in which instructions for using the breadmaker 1000 are provided. In other embodiments, the user's cellular phonecan be placed in communication with (or “paired with”) the controlsystem 1900. In this manner, the user can control and/or monitor thebread making process via an application stored locally on their cellularphone that provides detailed instructions unique to that user.

When the flour container assembly 1205 is fully assembled—when the firstlid and the second lid are attached to the tube—the flour containerassembly is placed into the housing 1100 adjacent to the flour deliverysystem 1230. The flour container assembly 1205 can be placed in theapparatus horizontally or with the first end portion of the tube angledin a slightly downward direction. FIGS. 21 and 25 show the flourcontainer assembly 1205 located adjacent to the flour delivery system1230 in a horizontal configuration, with the tube 1210 being in contactwith the rollers 1233 (also referred to as a drive shaft 1233). Theflour delivery system 1230 includes a drive motor 1232 and a drive shaft1233. As shown in FIG. 25, the drive shaft 1233 has a first end portion1234, a second end portion 1235, and a central portion 1236. The firstend portion 1234 connects the drive shaft 1233 to the drive motor 1232.The second end portion 1235 connects the drive shaft 1233 to a sidewallof the housing (not shown). The central portion 1236 engages the outersurface 1214 of the tube of the flour container assembly 1210 and rollsthe tube when the drive motor 1232 is engaged. As the tube rolls, theflour contained in the inner volume of the tube is driven into the outerslot 1219 of the first lid 1215 by the dispensing arm 1220, assisted bythe agitation of the flour within the tube 1210 caused by the rotationof the tube 1210 and gravity. The flour then travels through the outerslot 1219 to the outlet opening 1217 of the first lid 1215.

In some embodiments, the dispensing arm 1220 is movable relative to thefirst lid 1215. For example, in some embodiments, the end portion of thedispensing arm 1220 opposite the slot 1219 is separated from the firstlid 1215 such that it can bend, flex and/or move when the tube 1210 isrotated. This arrangement can further agitate the flour within the tube1210 and/or can direct the flour towards the outlet opening 1217. Inother embodiments, the dispensing arm 1220 can be in a fixed positionrelative to the first lid 1215. Although the dispensing arm 1220 isshown and described as being aligned with (or extending substantiallyparallel to) the inner surface of the first lid 1215, in otherembodiments, the dispensing arm 1220 can extend into the tube 1210. Forexample, in some embodiments, the dispensing arm 1220 can be a wire,whisk, or corkscrew-like structure that extends into the tube 1210 tofacilitate agitation of the flour therein.

Although the flour delivery system 1230 is shown as including a singledrive motor 1232 and drive shaft 1233, in other embodiments, the flourdelivery system 1230 can include two or more drive shafts 1233. Althoughthe flour delivery system 1230 is shown as relying on friction betweenthe central portion 1236 of the drive shaft (or roller) 1233 and thetube 1210, in other embodiments, any drive mechanism or connectionbetween the drive shaft 1233 (or drive motor 1232) and the tube 1210 canbe employed. For example, in some embodiments, the drive shaft 1233 (ordrive motor 1232) can be coupled to the tube 1210 via a belt or a geararrangement.

Moreover, although the flour delivery system 1230 is shown as rotatingthe tube 1210 to dispense the flour therein, in other embodiments, aflour delivery system can include any suitable mechanism for dispensingflour from the flour container assembly 1205. For example, in someembodiments, a flour delivery system can include a linear actuator thatmoves a plunger within the tube 1210 to dispense the flour therein. Inother embodiments, a flour delivery system can include an actuator thatboth rotates and translates a plunger within the tube 1210 to dispensethe flour therein.

The amount of flour dispensed from the tube 1210 can depend on severalfactors, including the amount of rotation of the tube 1210 (i.e., howmany revolutions the tube 1210 is rotated during the dispenseoperation), the amount of flour within the tube 1210 (i.e., is the tubefull or partially emptied), the construction of the dispensing arm 1220,and the size of the outer slot 1219 and the outlet opening 1217. Forexample, in some embodiments, a narrower slot 1219 can allow for loweramounts of flour transferred for a given rotation of the tube 1210(i.e., similar to a smaller opening in a package). Thus, a narrower slot1219 can, in some instances, provide for more accurate control of theamount dispensed, but may take a longer time to complete the flourdispensation. The slot 1219 can have any suitable aspect ratio toaccommodate the desired dispensation rate and accuracy. For example, insome embodiments, a ratio of the slot length to the slot width can begreater than 2:1, 2.5:1, or 3:1. In some embodiments, a ratio of thearea of the slot 1219 to the area of the exit opening 1217 (an “arearatio”) can be any suitable value. For example, in some embodiments, thearea ratio can be less than 1.0 (thus, the slot 1219 can be the ratelimiting area). In other embodiments, the area ratio can be greater than1.0 (e.g., greater than 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, or 1.8).

When the apparatus 1000 is activated, the ingredients from theingredient metering assembly 1200 are dispensed from their respectivecontainers into the mixing bowl assembly 1300, which is located in thelower portion 1132 of the housing 1100, as shown in FIGS. 21-23. Asshown in FIG. 23, the mixing bowl assembly 1300 includes a mixing bowl1302 and a measurement system 1370.

FIG. 26 provides a detailed view of the mixing bowl 1302. The mixingbowl 1302 includes an upper portion 1310 and a lower portion 1340. Theupper portion 1310 includes a cylindrical sidewall 1311 that defines aportion of the mixing volume 1305. The outer surface of the sidewall1311 includes a mounting protrusion 1314 that is used to secure themixing bowl 1302 within the apparatus 1000. The upper portion 1310 alsoincludes a flour intake chute 1312, a handle 1313, and a coupling arm1320. The flour intake chute 1312 is attached to the top of the sidewall1311 and provides a pathway for the dry ingredients to enter the mixingvolume 1305 from the flour container assembly 1205. The handle 1313attaches to the top of the sidewall 1311 across from the flour intakechute 1312. The handle 1313 allows the user to easily insert the mixingbowl 1302 into the apparatus 1000 and remove the mixing bowl 1302 fromthe apparatus 1000 for cleaning and maintenance. The coupling arm 1320is located at the bottom of the handle 1313 and defines a slot 1321. Theslot 1321 allows for the lower portion 1340 to be moved between a first(or opened) configuration and a second (or closed) configuration, asdiscussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 26, the lower portion 1340 of the mixing bowl 1302includes an outer sidewall 1341, an inner sidewall 1342, an exit guide1345, and an actuation arm 1350. The outer sidewall 1341 defines thebottom of the mixing bowl 1302. The inner sidewall 1342 is concave, asshown in FIGS. 26 and 30, and defines a portion of the mixing volume1305 when the lower portion 1340 is connected to the upper portion 1310,and when the lower portion 1340 is in the second (closed) configuration,as discussed herein. The inner sidewall 1342 contains ridges that causethe dough ball to roll instead of slide during kneading and formation.The inner sidewall 1342 defines an O-ring groove 1343 within which anO-ring (not shown) is inserted to provide a liquid tight seal when thelower portion 1340 is in the second (closed) configuration, and isfurther “locked” to the upper portion 1310 (i.e., after the ingredientshave been weighed). The exit guide 1345 is attached to the top of theouter sidewall 1341 and defines a pathway to transfer dough, once it isformed, from the mixing volume 1305 to the cooking assembly (not shown).The actuation arm 1350 is attached to the surface of the outer sidewall1341 across from the exit guide 1345. The actuation arm 1350 is attachedto the coupling arm 1320 of the upper portion 1310 of the mixing bowl1302 by a pin 1351. The pin 1351 rides in the slot 1321 of the couplingarm 1320 of the upper portion 1310. The arrangement of the actuation arm1350 and the coupling arm allows the lower portion 1340 to move betweenthe first configuration and the second configuration.

As mentioned above, the lower portion 1340 can be moved between a first(opened) configuration and a second (closed) configuration. As shown inFIGS. 26-28, when the lower portion 1340 is in the first configurationthe lower portion 1340 is rotated relative to the upper portion 1310 andthe mixing bowl 1302 is open. In this manner, the dough can betransferred from mixing bowl assembly 1302 into the cooking assembly1500, as described herein. When the lower portion 1340 is in the secondconfiguration it is aligned with the upper portion 1310 and the mixingbowl 1302 is closed as shown in FIG. 35. Additionally, when the lowerportion 1340 is in the second configuration, it can either remainmovable relative to the upper portion 1310 or it can be locked (i.e.,fixed) relative to the upper portion 1310. When the lower portion 1340is locked in the second configuration, the O-ring (not shown) provides aliquid tight seal between the upper portion 1310 and the lower portion1340 so that the ingredients can mixed to form dough.

When the lower portion 1340 is unlocked and in the second configuration,as shown in FIG. 10, the outer sidewall 1341 of the lower portion 1340rests on a scale 1380 of the measurement system 1370. By remainingunlocked, the weight increase caused by the addition of ingredients intothe lower portion 1340 can be accurately measured even though the upperportion 1310 is fixedly secured within the housing 1100. Specifically,the scale 1380 is attached to a platform 1372 and it is used to measurethe individual ingredients as they are dispensed into the mixing volume1305. The ingredients are added one at a time (in any suitable order).and the scale 1380 is tared after each ingredient is added so that it isready to accept the next ingredient. The scale 1380 receives informationfrom the machine-readable tag 1227 so that the desired quantity of eachingredient is known. The platform 1372 is attached to two threaded rods1462 that are connected to lower portion motors 1460 which are part ofthe mixing actuator assembly 1400. After all ingredients have beenadded, the lower portion 1340 is then locked to the upper portion 1310in the second configuration to facilitate mixing and kneading in awater-tight mixing volume 1305.

As shown in FIG. 27, the mixing actuator assembly 1400 includes a mixingmount 1410, a mixing motor 1420, a mixing paddle assembly 1430 (onlyshown in FIG. 31), and two lower portion motors 1460. The mixingactuator assembly 1400 has multiple purposes—(1) to move the lowerportion 1341 of the mixing bowl 1305 between the first configuration andthe second configuration, (2) to mix the ingredients in the mixingvolume 1305 when the lower portion 1341 is in the second configuration,and (3) to form or knead the mixed dough into a ball (or sphericalshape) suitable for producing a roti.

As shown in FIG. 27, the mixing mount 1410 is located at the top of theupper portion 1310 of the mixing bowl assembly. The mixing mount 1410has a first opening 1412 to accommodate the flour intake chute 1312 anda second opening 1413 to accommodate the mixing paddle assembly (notshown). The mixing motor 1420 is located above the mixing mount 1410 andis attached to the mixing paddle assembly (not shown). The mixing motor1420 provides the force to the mixing paddle assembly (not shown)required to mix, knead, and form a ball of dough from the ingredientsprovided by the ingredient metering assembly.

As shown in FIG. 31, the mixing paddle assembly 1430 includes an adaptershaft 1432, and a paddle 1440. The adapter shaft 1432 has a proximal endportion 1433 and a distal end portion 1434. The proximal end portion1433 is in the shape of a hexagon and attaches the adapter shaft 1432 tothe mixing motor (not shown). The distal end portion 1434 is a lateralprotrusion of the adapter shaft 1432 which connects the adapter shaft1432 to the paddle 1440. The paddle 1440 extends from the adapter shaft1432 to reach the bottom of the mixing volume (not shown) to mixingredients. The paddle 1440 attaches to the distal end portion 1434 ofthe adapter shaft via a spring 1441. The spring 1441 is a torsion springthat allows the paddle 1440 to deflect out of the way for kneading andball formation of dough. The paddle 1440 has an edge 1443 that iscontoured to meet the inner sidewall of the lower portion of the mixingbowl.

As stated above, the mixing actuation assembly 1400 is configured tomove the lower portion 1340 of the mixing bowl 1302 between the firstconfiguration and the second configuration. Specifically, the lowerportion motors 1460 exert a force on and/or move the lower portion 1340to change configurations. As shown in FIGS. 27-28, the lower portionmotors 1460 are located adjacent to the mixing mount 1410 and are eachattached to a threaded rod 1462. The lower portion motors 1460 providean actuation force to the platform 1372 of the mixing actuator assemblyto move the lower portion 1340 between the first (opened) configurationand the second (closed) configuration. Ingredients from the ingredientmetering assembly are added to the mixing volume when the lower portion1340 is in the second configuration, but is unlocked from the upperportion 1310. The lower portion motors 1460 are actuated to move theplatform 1372 and thus lock the lower portion 1340 into the upperportion 1310.

The mixing motor 1420 is then activated to provide a force to the mixingpaddle assembly 1430 required to mix, knead, and form a ball of doughfrom the ingredients. In some embodiments, the mixing motor 1420 canrotate in a first direction and at a first speed to mix the ingredients.The paddle 1440 is coupled to the adapter shaft 1432 in a manner suchthat the paddle 1440 does not deflect relative to the adapter shaft1432. In this manner, the adapter shaft 1432 and the paddle 1440 form arigid mixing implement that can reach the bottom of the bowl. In someembodiments, the mixing motor 1420 can rotate in a second direction(opposite the first direction) to knead or form the mixed dough. In suchembodiments, the paddle 1440 is coupled to the adapter shaft 1432 viathe torsion spring 1441 in a manner such that the paddle 1440 candeflect or move relative to the adapter shaft 1432 to facilitatekneading and ball formation of dough. In some embodiments, the mixingmotor 1420 can rotate at a second speed, different from the first speed,during the kneading and forming operation.

Once the dough is prepared, the lower portion motors 1460 are activatedto move the lower portion 1340 into the first (or opened) configuration.The mixing motor 1420 then activates the paddle 1440 to push the doughfrom the lower portion 1340 onto the cooking assembly 1500, as guided bythe exit guide 1345. When the dough is transferred to the cookingassembly 1500, the lower portion motors 1460 move the lower portion 1340back into the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 35. If theinstructions contained in the machine-readable tag call for more thanone piece of flatbread to be made, when the lower portion is returned tothe second configuration the apparatus can begin another cycle of addingingredients to the mixing volume and mixing the ingredients to produceanother dough ball. In this manner, the various subassemblies in thebread maker 1000 can be continuously operating in different portions ofthe bread-making cycle.

The cooking assembly 1500 is designed to press, cook, and flipflatbread. FIG. 32 shows the cooking assembly 1500 which includes afirst platen 1510, a second platen 1530, an actuator assembly 1550, anda heater (not shown). The first platen 1510 includes two connectionposts 1512, a heating surface 1520, and a lower connection portion 1516,as shown in FIGS. 16-17. The connection posts 1512 connect the firstplaten 1510 and the second platen 1530, and provide a rigid structurefor the rectilinear motion of the cooking assembly 1500. The connectionposts 1512 each define a slot 1513 where the actuator assembly 1550connects to move the second platen 1530. The heating surface 1520 isfixedly mounted to the connection posts 1512 and is a heated surface tocook dough. The heating surface 1520 can be made of any material thatcan conduct heat such as steel, aluminum, or the like. In someembodiments, the heating surface 1520 can include a non-stick material(e.g., a Teflon or ceramic material) to facilitate removal of the cookedflat bread therefrom. The lower connection portion 1516 is located atthe base of the heating surface 1520 and allows the first platen 1510 tobe connected to the motor 1552 of the actuator assembly 1550.

As shown in FIGS. 32 and 34, the second platen 1530 includes an uppercarriage 1532, a heating surface 1540, and a hinge 1534. The uppercarriage 1532 defines slots 1533 that receive the connection posts 1512of the first platen. The heating surface 1540 is a heated surface thatcan cook dough. The heating surface 1540 can be made of any materialthat can conduct heat such as steel, aluminum, or the like. In someembodiments, the heating surface 1540 can include a non-stick material(e.g., a Teflon or ceramic material) to facilitate removal of the cookedflat bread therefrom. The upper carriage 1532 and the heating surface1540 are connected by the hinge 1534. The hinge 1534 allows the heatingsurface 1540 move relative to the heating surface 1520. In this manner,the heating surface 1540 can form a wedge with the heating surface 1520of the first platen 1510. The wedge is used to catch the dough as it isejected from the lower portion of the mixing bowl assembly. FIG. 23shows the cooking assembly 1500 in a first (or receiving) configurationwhere the first platen 1510 and the second platen 1540 form the wedge.In this first configuration the cooking assembly 1500 is ready toreceive dough from the lower portion 1340 of the mixing bowl assembly1302. When the dough is captured in the wedge created by the firstplaten 1510 and the second platen 1530, the actuator assembly of thecooking assembly is activated, e.g., to flatten the dough.

When the cooking assembly 1500 is in the first (or receiving)configuration, the first platen 1510 and the second platen 1530 canproduce a wedge of any suitable angle. In this manner, formed doughportions having different sizes (i.e. different diameters) can bepositioned in the desired location between the heating surface 1520 andthe heating surface 1540. For example, a larger angle accommodates doughportions of larger sizes, whereas a smaller angle accommodates doughportions having smaller sizes. In some embodiments, the wedge angle canbe less than about 5 degrees. In other embodiments, the wedge angle canbe between about 5 degrees and about 15 degrees. In yet otherembodiments, the wedge angle can be between about 10 degrees and about25 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 32, the actuator assembly 1550 includes a motor 1552, alead screw 1553, a pull bar 1554, and a linkage 1560. The motor 1552 isattached to the lower connection portion 1516 of the first platen 1510.The lead screw 1553 is attached to the motor 1552 and to the pull bar1554. When the motor 1552 is activated the lead screw 1553 turns whichthen rotates the pull bar 1554. The pull bar 1554 is also attached tothe linkage 1560. The linkage 1560 includes a first arm 1562 and asecond arm 1563. The first arm 1562 is attached to the slots 1513 of thefirst platen 1510 and the second arm 1563. As the pull bar 1554 rotates,the second arm 1563 rotates causing the first arm 1562 to move up anddown within the slots 1513 of the first platen 1510. Thus, activation ofthe motor 1552 causes the cooking assembly to move from the firstconfiguration to a second configuration, as shown in FIG. 36. In thesecond configuration the second platen 1540 pivots to be parallel withthe first platen 1510 and is lowered to the first platen 1510 causingthe dough ball to be flattened into a disc of even thickness.

After the dough is flattened by the first platen 1510 and the secondplaten 1540, the cooking assembly 1500 moves from the secondconfiguration to a third configuration. FIG. 36 shows the cookingassembly 1500 in the third configuration. In the third configuration,the cooking assembly 1500 rotates backwards and the second platen movesaway from the first platen such that the heating surface of the secondplaten is horizontal to the heating surface of first platen. Thisconfiguration of the cooking assembly 1500 allows the heating surfaces1520, 1540 to be spaced apart during the cooking process which allowsthe bread to puff up into a spherical shape. Once in the thirdconfiguration, the heater (not shown) is activated to apply heat to theheating surface 1540 of the second platen 1530. One side of the dough isthen cooked for a prescribed amount of time specified in theinstructions set forth in the machine-readable tag 1227 of theingredient metering assembly 1200.

After the first side of the dough is cooked for the prescribed amount oftime, the cooking assembly 1500 is moved from the third configuration toa fourth configuration. As shown in FIGS. 20-21, the cooking assembly1500 rotates 180 degrees when it moves from the third configuration tothe fourth configuration. When the cooking assembly 1500 is in thefourth configuration the heater (not shown) applies heat to the heatingsurface 1520 of the first platen to cook the other side of the dough.

After the second side of the dough is cooked for the prescribed amountof time, the cooking assembly 1500 moves from the fourth configurationto a fifth configuration. In the fifth configuration, as shown in FIG.38, the cooking assembly 1500 rotates downward at an angle of about 45degrees such that the cooked flatbread slides off of the heating surface1520 into the storage compartment of the housing. In some embodiments,the angle of rotation of the cooking assembly can be about 55 degrees.In other embodiments, the angle of rotation of the cooking assembly canbe about 65 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle of rotation of thecooking assembly can be about 75 degrees. In yet other embodiments, theangle of rotation of the cooking assembly can be about 85 degrees.

The heater or heaters (not shown) used to produce heat for the heatingsurfaces 1520, 1540 can be located below the cooking assembly 1500 inthe lower portion 1133 of the housing. In other embodiments, the heateror heaters can be incorporated within each platen 1510, 1530 below eachrespective heating surface 1520, 1540. The heaters can be any suitableheater, such as, for example, resistance-type heaters. The heaters areoperatively coupled to the electronics/control system 1900 to provideaccurate control of the temperature and time of heating.

The apparatus 1000 also includes an electronic assembly 1900 (not shown)that is configured to read the machine-readable tag of the ingredientmetering assembly to receive instructions. The instructions include theamount of ingredients that are needed, the amount of time to mix theingredients to form the dough, the temperature to which the heater orheaters should be set, the timing required for cooking each side of thedough, and the like. These instructions set the parameters for theelectronic assembly to control all of the motors of the ingredientmetering assembly, the mixing actuator assembly, and the cookingassembly, as well as control the pumps of the ingredient meteringassembly and the heater of the cooking assembly.

The electronic assembly 1900 (not shown) includes a power supply 1910and a control module. The power supply provides DC power to the motors,the heaters, and control module. As shown in FIG. 21, the power supply1910 is located in the upper portion 1132 of the housing adjacent to theingredient metering assembly 1200. In other embodiments, any of theelectronic assemblies described herein can include any suitable powersupply, such as a power supply that provides AC power, DC power or acombination of AC and DC power.

The electronic assembly 1900 can be similar to any of the electronicassemblies described herein, such as the electronic circuit system 5900.For example, the electronic assembly 1900 can include any of the modulesdescribed herein and can perform any of the functions described withrespect to the electronic circuit system 5900. In some embodiments, thecontrol module includes at least a feedback module and an actuationmodule. The feedback module is implemented at least in part in hardwareand, in some embodiments can include one or more sensors. The sensor isconfigured to detect the temperature of the heating surfaces of thecooking assembly. The actuation module is configured to send a signal tothe heater to adjust the heat produced such that the temperature of theheating surface is changed.

In some embodiments the control module can include a memory, aprocessor, and an input/output module (or interface). The control modulecan be coupled to a computer or other input/output device via theinput/output module (or interface). The processor (and any of theprocessors described herein) can be any processor configured to, forexample, write data into and read data from the memory of the controlmodule, and execute the instructions and/or methods stored within thememory. Furthermore, the processor can be configured to controloperation of the other modules within the control module (e.g., afeedback module). In other embodiments, the processor (and any of theprocessors described herein) can be, for example, anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a combination ofASICs, which are designed to perform one or more specific functions. Inyet other embodiments, the microprocessor can be an analog or digitalcircuit, or a combination of multiple circuits.

The memory device of the control module (and any of the memory devicesdescribed herein) can be any suitable device such as, for example, aread only memory (ROM) component, a random access memory (RAM)component, electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM),erasable electronically programmable read only memory (EEPROM),registers, cache memory, and/or flash memory. Any of the modules (afeedback module) can be implemented by the processor and/or storedwithin the memory.

The input/output module of the control module can be any suitable userinterface. As shown in FIG. 18, the input/output module of apparatus1000 is a LCD input/output screen 1950. The LCD input/output screen 1950allows the user to manually adjust the instructions of themachine-readable tag 1227. For example, the user can manually add theingredients from the ingredient metering assembly or change thetemperature setting or cooking times of the cooking assembly 1500. TheLCD input/output screen 1950 also allows the user to monitor theprogress of the apparatus as it goes through the instructions. Forexample, the user can tell how many pieces of flatbread have been made,if the instructions are complete, or the like.

FIGS. 39-52 are various views of a cooking system 3000 (also referred toas a bread maker or a flatbread maker) according to an embodiment. Thebread maker 3000 includes a housing 3100, within which a variety ofmodules (or assemblies) are contained. Specifically, the bread maker3000 includes an ingredient metering assembly 3200, a mixing bowlassembly 3300, a mixing actuator assembly 3400, a cooking assembly 3500,and a control/electronic assembly (not shown, but that can be similar toany of the electronic circuit systems or electronic control assembliesdescribed herein). The bread maker 3000 is similar in many respects tothe bread maker 1000 described above, and thus certain aspects are notdescribed in detail below. Any of the components or assemblies of thebread maker 1000 (or any of the cooking systems described herein) can beincluded in the bread maker 3000, and vice-versa. A description of eachmodule and/or sub system follows.

The housing 3100 includes outer sidewalls 3110 and a support base 3150.The outer sidewalls 3110 define an interior volume that contains thevarious subassemblies and a storage area where the finished bread isstored. The housing 3100 is made of a strong, durable, heat resistantmaterial that is lightweight and easy to clean. For example, in someembodiments, the housing 3100 can be made of aluminum, stainless steel,plastic, ceramic, or the like. Like the bread maker 1000, in someembodiments, portions of the housing can be constructed with insulativematerial to allow the apparatus to maintain consistent cookingtemperatures within the various portions of the device. The housing 3100can define any suitable access openings or panels that allow a user toaccess the subassemblies within the housing 3100.

The ingredient metering assembly 3200, shown in FIGS. 39-42, includes awater reservoir 3250, an oil reservoir 3260, a flour container assembly3205, and a flour delivery system. The ingredient metering assembly 3200is located in the upper portion of the housing 3100, and also includesthe tubing, interconnects and other components to couple the ingredientmetering assembly 3200 to the mixing assembly 3300 and/or otherassemblies within the bread maker 3000. The water reservoir 3250 issimilar to the water reservoir 1250 described above, and is configuredto store water and dispense water into the mixing bowl assembly 3300.The oil reservoir 3260 is similar to the oil reservoir 1260 describedabove, and is configured to store oil and dispense of into the mixingbowl assembly 3300. In some embodiments, one or both of the waterreservoir 3250 and the oil reservoir 3260 can include valves (not shown)that are used to control the flow of the liquids from the respectivereservoirs. The control can be performed using any of the methods andusing any of the modules (e.g., metering module), as described herein.

The flour container assembly 3205 stores dry flour and seasonings and isdesigned to hold an amount of ingredients sufficient to make anysuitable number of roti. The flour container assembly 3205 can beremoved from the housing 3100. As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the flourcontainer assembly 3205 includes a tube 3210, a first lid 3215 and asecond lid 3225. The first lid 3215 has a connection portion thatconnects the first lid 3215 with a first end portion of the tube 3210.The first lid 3215 is designed to allow for the release of flour inspecific measurements. The first lid 3215 includes a dispensingprotrusion 3220 and defines a spiral outlet passageway 3219 throughwhich flour can be conveyed to the exit opening 3217. The dispensingprotrusion 3220 is designed so that a specific amount of flour can bedispensed from the inner volume of the tube 3210 when the tube 3210 isrotated, as described herein (e.g., with respect to the containerassembly 1205). The outlet slot 3219 is located adjacent to thedispensing protrusion 3220 and funnels, directs and/or conveys the flourto the outlet opening 3217 defined by the first lid 3215.

The second lid 3225 of the flour container assembly 3210 includes aconnection portion such that the second lid 3225 is coupled to thesecond end portion 3212 of the tube 3210. In some embodiments, theconnection portion can be ribbed or otherwise proportioned such that thesecond lid 3225 is press fit into the second end portion of the tube3210. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the second lid 3225 alsoincludes a machine-readable tag located on the outer surface of thesecond lid 3225. The machine-readable tag can be like any of the machinereadable tags described herein, and can allow automatic orsemi-automatic control of the cooking device 3000, as described above(e.g., with respect to the system 5000 or the bread maker 1000).

In use, the flour container assembly 3205 can placed into the housing3100 adjacent to the flour delivery system. The flour delivery systemcan be similar to the flour delivery system 1230 described above, andcan rotate the tube 3210 of the flour container assembly 3205 todispense flour from the container 3205. The amount of rotation can becontrolled by the electronic circuit system (not shown). Further, themeasurement system 3370 can provide feedback (e.g., an amount of flourin the mixing bowl assembly 3300) to the electronic circuit system toensure that the desired amount of flour is dispensed. Although the flourdelivery system is described as rotating the tube 3210 to dispense theflour therein, in other embodiments, a flour delivery system can includeany suitable mechanism for dispensing flour from the flour containerassembly 3205. For example, in some embodiments, a flour delivery systemcan include a linear actuator that moves a plunger within the tube 3210to dispense the flour therein. In other embodiments, a flour deliverysystem can include an actuator that both rotates and translates aplunger within the tube 3210 to dispense the flour therein.

When the bread maker 3000 is activated, the ingredients from theingredient metering assembly 3200 are dispensed from their respectivecontainers into the mixing bowl assembly 3300, which is shown in FIGS.43-45. As shown in FIG. 43, the mixing bowl assembly 3300 includes amixing bowl (having an upper portion 3310 and a lower portion 3340) anda measurement system 3370. The mixing bowl is similar to the mixing bowl1302 described above, and all aspects of the mixing bowl 1302 can beincluded in the mixing bowl included in the bread maker 3000. Forexample, the upper portion 3310 includes a cylindrical sidewall thatdefines a portion of the mixing volume 3305. The upper portion 3310 caninclude any suitable mounting protrusion or structure to secure themixing bowl within the bread maker 3000. The upper portion 3310 alsoincludes a coupling arm 3320 that defines an elongated slot 3321. Theslot 3321 allows for the lower portion 3340 to be moved between variousconfigurations. Specifically, the mixing bowl assembly 3300 can betransitioned between a measurement configuration (FIG. 43-45), a mixingconfiguration, and a delivery configuration (FIG. 46).

The lower portion 3340 of the mixing bowl includes a sidewall and anactuation arm 3350. An outer portion of the sidewall defines the bottomof the mixing bowl that, when the mixing bowl assembly 3300 is in themeasurement configuration (FIG. 45), can contact a platform 3372 of themeasurement system 3370. The inner portion of the sidewall is concave,as shown in FIG. 44, and defines a portion of the mixing volume 3305when the lower portion 3340 is connected to the upper portion 3310, andwhen the lower portion 3340 is in the mixing configuration, as discussedherein. The inner sidewall contains ridges 3342 that cause the doughball to roll instead of slide during kneading and formation. Thesidewall includes a seal surface 3343 (which can be an o-ring groove, aflat surface, or the like, to provide a liquid tight seal when the lowerportion 3340 is in the second (closed) configuration, and is further“locked” to the upper portion 3310 (i.e., after the ingredients havebeen weighed). The exit guide 3345 is attached to the top of the lowerportion 3340 and defines a pathway to transfer dough, once it is formed,from the mixing volume 3305 to the cooking assembly 3500 (see FIG. 46).The actuation arm 3350 is attached to the coupling arm 3320 of the upperportion 3310 of the mixing bowl by a pin (not shown). The pin rides inthe elongated slot (which can be similar to the slot 1321 describedabove). The arrangement of the actuation arm 3350 and the coupling armallows the lower portion 3340 to move between the variousconfigurations.

As mentioned above, the lower portion 3340 can be moved between adelivery (or opened) configuration and a mixing (or closed)configuration. As shown in FIG. 46 (and describe above for the mixingbowl 1302 with reference to FIGS. 26-28), when the lower portion 3340 isin the delivery configuration the lower portion 3340 is rotated relativeto the upper portion 3310 and the mixing bowl is open. In this manner,the dough can be transferred from mixing bowl into the cooking assembly3500, as described herein. When the lower portion 3340 is in the mixingconfiguration it is aligned with the upper portion 3310 and the mixingbowl is closed. In the mixing configuration the seal surface 3343 ispressed tight (or in contact with) a mating seal surface of the upperportion 3310. This provides a liquid tight seal between the upperportion 3310 and the lower portion 3340 so that the ingredients canmixed to form dough. Additionally, when the lower portion 3340 is in themixing configuration, it can be locked (i.e., fixed) relative to theupper portion 3310. In particular, the lower portion 3340 can be held bythe platform 3372 of the measurement system 3370. In this manner, themeasurement system 3370 can function both to weight the ingredientswithin the lower portion 3340 and also as a press to actuate (i.e.,move) the lower portion 3340 from the delivery configuration (FIG. 46)to the mixing configuration. The base 3373 of the measurement system3370 can contain a load cell (not shown) to accurately measure theweight of the ingredients. The base 3373 can also include one or moreprotrusions 3374 or end-stops to prevent the load cell from beingoverloaded when the measurement system 3370 is being used as anactuator. In such instances, the protrusions can limit the movement ofthe platform 3372 relative to the base 3373.

Additionally, when the lower portion 3340 is aligned with the upperportion 3310, it can remain movable relative to the upper portion 3310.Similarly stated, when the mixing bowl is in the measurementconfiguration, the lower portion 3340 can be unsupported by the upperportion 3310. As shown in FIG. 45, when the lower portion 3340 isunlocked and in the measurement configuration, the outer sidewall of thelower portion 3340 rests on the platform 3372 of the measurement system3370. By remaining unlocked, the weight increase caused by the additionof ingredients into the lower portion 3340 can be accurately measuredeven though the upper portion 3310 is fixedly secured within the housing3100. Specifically, the load cell is attached to a platform 3372 and itis used to measure the individual ingredients as they are dispensed intothe mixing volume 3305. The ingredients are added one at a time (in anysuitable order). and the measurement system 3370 is tared after eachingredient is added so that it is ready to accept the next ingredient.

The platform 3372 is attached to two rods 3462 that are connected tolower portion motors 3460 which are part of the mixing actuator assembly3400. After all ingredients have been added, the lower portion 3340 isthen locked to the upper portion 3310 to facilitate mixing and kneadingin a water-tight mixing volume 3305.

As shown in FIG. 43, the mixing actuator assembly 3400 extends into themixing bowl assembly 3300 and can mix and knead the ingredients to forman ingredient mixture (e.g., dough). The mixing actuator assembly 3400is similar to the mixing actuator assembly 1400 described above and isnot described in detail herein. Specifically, the mixing actuatorassembly 3400 has multiple purposes—(1) to move the lower portion 3340of the mixing bowl 3305 between the first configuration and the secondconfiguration, (2) to mix the ingredients in the mixing volume 3305 whenthe lower portion 3340 is in the mixing configuration, and (3) to formor knead the mixed dough into a ball (or spherical shape) suitable forproducing a roti.

Once the dough is prepared, the lower portion motors 3460 are activatedto move the lower portion 3340 into the deliver configuration, as shownin FIG. 46. The mixing motor 3420 then activates the paddle 3440 to pushthe dough from the lower portion 3340 onto the cooking assembly 3500, asguided by the exit guide 3345. When the dough is transferred to thecooking assembly 3500, the lower portion motors 3460 move the lowerportion 3340 back into the second configuration, as shown in FIG. 35. Ifthe instructions contained in the machine-readable tag call for morethan one piece of flatbread to be made, when the lower portion isreturned to the second configuration the apparatus can begin anothercycle of adding ingredients to the mixing volume and mixing theingredients to produce another dough ball. In this manner, the varioussubassemblies in the bread maker 3000 can be continuously operating indifferent portions of the bread-making cycle.

The cooking assembly 3500 is designed to press, cook, and flip theingredient mixture to produce a cooked item (e.g., flat bread). FIGS.46-52 show the cooking assembly 3500 which includes a first platen 3510,a second platen 3530, an actuator assembly 3550, and a heater (notshown). Certain aspects of the cooking assembly 3500 are similar tothose in the cooking assembly 1500 described above, any the componentsof the cooking assembly 1500 can be included in the cooking assembly3500, and vice-versa. The first platen 3510 includes a heating surface3520 and a flattening mass 3511. The heating surface 3520 is movablycoupled to the flattening mass and is a heated surface to cook dough.Specifically, the heating surface 3520 can be spring-biased to theflattening mass 3511 to allow the heating surface 3520 to be spacedapart from the flattening mass 3511 during heating/cooking, while beingin contact with the flattening mass 3511 during press operations (e.g.,to promote transfer of force without damaging the heating surface 3520).For example, as shown in FIG. 48, the heating surface 3520 can moverelative to the flattening mass 3511, as shown by the arrow ZZ. In thismanner, the heating surface 3520 can be spaced apart from the flatteningmass 3511 (e.g., when the cooking assembly 3500 is in one of the cookingconfigurations), and can be in contact with the flattening mass 3511when the cooking assembly 3500 is in a flattening configuration.Although not shown in FIG. 48, one or more springs can be placed betweenthe heating surface 3520 and the flattening mass 3511. The heatingsurface 3520 can be made of any material that can conduct heat such assteel, aluminum, or the like. In some embodiments, the heating surface3520 can include a non-stick material (e.g., a Teflon or ceramicmaterial) to facilitate removal of the cooked flat bread therefrom. Thefirst heating surface 3520 can be similar to any of the heating surfacesdescribed herein.

The flattening mass 3511 is coupled to a press bar 3555, and is a massstructure that transfers a force to the ingredient mixture to flatten,shape, or otherwise press the ingredient mixture. For example, in someembodiments, the first flattening mass 3511 is a flat, rigid structurethat can exert a press force of at least 200 pounds (890 N), 400 pounds(1.78 kN), 500 pounds (2.22 kN), or 600 pounds (2.67 kN). As shown, theflattening mass 3511 has a series of ribs to promote even distributionof the force applied by the motors 3552. As shown in FIG. 48, theflattening mass 3511 has a center protrusion 3512 that is coupled to andin direct contact with the press bar 3555. The outer portions of theflattening mass 3511, however, are slighted spaced apart from the pressbar 3555. In this manner, the force applied to the ingredient mixture bythe flattening mass 3511 is applied from the center, and not from theoutside edges. This arrangement produces a uniformly flat item. In otherembodiments, the flattening mass 3511 can have a uniformly flat surface,and the press bar 3555 can include a center protrusion that produces aslight gap between the outer portions of the flattening mass 3511 andthe press bar 3555, similar to that shown in FIG. 48. The second platen3530 can have a similar gap.

The second platen 3530 includes a heating surface 3540, a flatteningmass 3531, and a hinge. The heating surface 3540 can be made of anymaterial that can conduct heat such as steel, aluminum, or the like. Insome embodiments, the heating surface 3540 can include a non-stickmaterial (e.g., a Teflon or ceramic material) to facilitate removal ofthe cooked flat bread therefrom. The first heating surface 3540 can besimilar to any of the heating surfaces described herein.

The heating surface 3540 is movably coupled to the flattening mass 3531and is a heated surface to cook dough. Specifically, the heating surface3540 can be spring-biased to the flattening mass 3531 to allow theheating surface 3540 to be spaced apart from the flattening mass 3531during heating/cooking, while being in contact with the flattening mass3531 during press operations (e.g., to promote transfer of force withoutdamaging the heating surface 3520). Additionally, similar to the cookingsystem 7000 described above, the heating surface 3540 can rotaterelative to the flattening mass 3531 via the hinge. Thus, the heatingsurface 3540 can be nonparallel to the flattening mass 3531 when thecooking system is in a receiving configuration (i.e., to retain theingredient mixture, as described above). The heating surface 3540 can beselectively released from or rotated relative to the flattening mass bythe latch 3573. The latch 3573 can be any suitable latch that can beelectronically controlled (e.g., via an electronic circuit system) toallow the heating surface to rotate relative to the flattening mass3531.

Thus, the heating surface 3540 can form a wedge with the heating surface3520 of the first platen 3510. The wedge is used to catch the dough asit is ejected from the lower portion of the mixing bowl assembly. FIGS.47A and 47B show the cooking assembly 3500 in a first (or receiving)configuration where the first platen 3510 and the second platen 3540form the wedge. In this first configuration the cooking assembly 3500 isready to receive dough from the lower portion 3340 of the mixing bowlassembly 3300. When the dough is captured in the wedge created by thefirst platen 3510 and the second platen 3530, the actuator assembly ofthe cooking assembly is activated, e.g., to flatten the dough.

When the cooking assembly 3500 is in the first (or receiving)configuration, the first platen 3510 and the second platen 3530 canproduce a wedge of any suitable angle. In this manner, formed doughportions having different sizes (i.e. different diameters) can bepositioned in the desired location between the heating surface 3520 andthe heating surface 3540. For example, a larger angle accommodates doughportions of larger sizes, whereas a smaller angle accommodates doughportions having smaller sizes. In some embodiments, the wedge angle canbe less than about 5 degrees. In other embodiments, the wedge angle canbe between about 5 degrees and about 35 degrees. In yet otherembodiments, the wedge angle can be between about 30 degrees and about25 degrees.

As shown, the actuator assembly 3550 includes motors 3552, lead screws3553, and the press bars 3555. The motors 3552 are attached to theplatens by the press bars 3555. The lead screw 3553 is attached to themotor 3552 and to the press bars 3555. When the motors 3552 areactivated the lead screw 3553 turns which then pulls the press bars 3555to move the platens linearly relative to each other. The actuatorassembly also includes a rotation motor 3570, a rotation gear 3572, anda connection member 3560. To rotate the platens (e.g., for flipping theingredient mixture), the gear is rotated by the motor 3570. Theconnection member 3560 allows the platens to move linearly relative toeach other (i.e., towards or apart from each other), but limits andlateral motion or rotational motion between the platens. Thus, rotationof the gear 3572 causes the platens to rotate, as shown.

During the flattening process the heating surfaces are heated slightlyto facilitate a smooth flattening process. For example, in someembodiments, the lower-most platen (e.g., platen 3510 having heatingsurface 3520) can be heated to about 200 degrees F. and the upper-mostplaten (e.g., platen 3530 having heating surface 3540) can be heated toabout 220 degrees F. By heating the upper-most platen to a slightlyhigher temperature, when the platens are moved apart to one of thecooking configurations (as described below), the flattened ingredientmixture (e.g., dough) will easily be released from the upper-most platenand remain with the lower-most platen for cooking.

After the dough is flattened by the first platen 3510 and the secondplaten 3540 (FIGS. 49 and 50), the cooking assembly 3500 moves from theflattening configuration to a first cooking configuration. FIG. 51 showsthe cooking assembly 3500 in the first cooking configuration. In thefirst cooking configuration, the cooking assembly 3500 rotates backwardsand the second platen moves away from the first platen such that theheating surface of the second platen is horizontal to the heatingsurface of first platen. This configuration of the cooking assembly 3500allows the heating surfaces 3520, 3540 to be spaced apart during thecooking process which allows the bread to puff up into a sphericalshape. Once in the first cooking configuration, the heater (not shown)is activated to apply heat to the heating surface 3540 of the secondplaten 3530. One side of the dough is then cooked for a prescribedamount of time specified in the instructions set forth in themachine-readable tag (not shown).

The cooking assembly 3500 can then be moved from the first cookingconfiguration to a second cooking configuration. FIG. 52 shows thecooking assembly 3500 in the second cooking configuration. In the secondcooking configuration, the cooking assembly 3500 the second platen movesaway from the first platen such that the heating surface of the secondplaten is horizontal to the heating surface of first platen. Thisconfiguration of the cooking assembly 3500 allows the heating surfaces3520, 3540 to be spaced apart during the cooking process which allowsthe bread to puff up into a spherical shape. Once in the second cookingconfiguration, the heater (not shown) is activated to apply heat to theheating surface 3520 of the first platen 3510. A second side of thedough is then cooked for a prescribed amount of time specified in theinstructions set forth in the machine-readable tag (not shown).

FIGS. 53-62 are flow charts illustrating one or more methods ofpreparing bread according the embodiments described herein. The methodsdescribed can be performed using and of the devices described herein,including the cooking device (or bread maker) 1000 or the cooking device3000.

In use, the machine is started using either a or b option (assumption isthat the machine is connected to power outlet). For option a, the userpushes Power button on machine (Flow 1, FIG. 53). If it is the firsttime power-on, the user is prompted to select date and time. The dateand time are stored in permanent memory. If not the first time power-on,the bread maker is on and ready for further processing.

Referring to Flow 1 a in FIG. 54, in some embodiments, the user isprompted for smart phone pairing. If the user selects smart phonepairing, the QR code is displayed with machine and pairing information.The user then scans QR code using RotiGenie app on the smart phone.After completion of pairing, the user can register machine over internetfrom this phone. For example, the user can fill in name, address andphone, whereas appliance details are auto populated from pairing info.After the smart phone is connected to the machine (e.g., usingBluetooth), the machine state is placed into a standby state.

Referring to Flow 2 a and Flow 2 b in FIGS. 58 and 59, respectively,next the machine checks for ingredients and prompts user actions.Specifically, if any ingredient is missing prompts user to enter missingingredients and waits for user to add and rechecks again. After allingredients are present, the machine reads the QR code on the flourcontainer. If there is any error during reading QR code, the controlsystem and/or user's smartphone prompts the user with an error message.

Next, the machine measures the quantity of all ingredients. The controlsystem then prompts the user to select a flat bread type (e.g., if theflour can make different flat bread types). After the user selects aflat bread type, the control system then computes the total number ofbread pieces that can be made. The logic for computing the quantities isbased on minimum of maximum flat breads a single ingredient consumptioncan make. The control system then prompts the user to select the desiredquantity (bounded by the check for maximum flat bread quantitycalculated above). After the user has entered the desired quantity, theuser presses start button.

Referring to Flow 3 illustrated in FIGS. 57-62, after the user pressesstart, the bread making automatic process is started without any furthermanual input (Flow 3). First, the control system checks all componentsfor failures. If any error is detected, the user is prompted with errorand action to be taken. No further processing will occur until sucherror is resolved.

If no errors are present, then the control system retrieves “QRparameters” from memory for processing. When the kneading bowl is readyto accept ingredients, the dispensing module dispenses ingredientssequentially water, oil and flour while measuring ingredients as itdispenses (Flow 3 c). If no errors occur during the dispensingoperation, then kneading process is started. Based on QR details forkneading, speed of the blade will vary for the specific duration (Flow 3d).

When kneading is completed successfully, then the dough portion is readyfor dispatch to platens. If the cooking assembly is not occupied withanother dough portion (i.e., it is not busy and ready to accept dough),the bottom of the bowl is opened to dispatch the dough portion tocooking assembly, as described above. After, successful dough dispatch,the kneading bowl state is changed to “ready” (i.e., the bowl is closed)and dispensing of a second batch of ingredients into the bowl startssimultaneously with the flattening and baking.

The flattening process presses dough and prepares it for baking. Basedon QR input for flattening, the dough portion is pressed until thedesired thickness is achieved. (Flow 3 e). The baking process bakes theflattened dough at desired temperature mentioned in QR (e.g., attemperatures of up to 500° F.), with or without flipping and/or hot airfor the specific duration. (Flow 3 f). After the flat bread is baked onboth sides, it is pushed to storage container. Any or all of theseprocesses are repeated until the desired number of flat breads isprepared.

Although the cooking assembly 1500 is shown and described as including afirst platen 1510 having a single portion or plate that functions toboth press the dough and provide a cooking surface, in otherembodiments, the cooking assembly or any cooking assembly describedherein can include any suitable structure to press, flip, manipulateand/or heat dough (or bread). For example, in some embodiments, acooking assembly can include a platen having a heating plate that isseparate from a press plate. Such arrangements can, for example,facilitate a more rapid heating and cooling by having a much lowerthermal mass for the heating plate. For example, FIGS. 63-65 showvarious views of a platen 2510 according to an embodiment. The platen2510 can be included as a part of the cooking assembly 1500 (e.g., inplace of either the platen 1510, the platen 1530, or both), or any othercooking assembly shown or described herein. As described below, theplaten 2510 is configured to press, cook, and flip flatbread inconjunction with at least one other platen. In some embodiments, theplaten 2510 can include additional structure similar to that shown abovein connection with the platen 1510 or the platen 1530 to facilitate themechanical linkages and/or couplings for the cooking assembly. Forexample, in some embodiments, the platen 2510 can include one or moreconnections posts, connection portions, or the like (as described above)so that the platen 2510 can be moved as desired to press, cook and/orflip the dough (or flatbread).

Referring to FIGS. 63 and 64, the platen 2510 includes a press plate2511, a heating plate 2520, a blower 2570, and a shroud 2580. Thus, theplaten 2510 includes a heating surface that is separate from, andmovable with respect to, a press plate. The platen 2510 also includes anactive cooling mechanism (i.e., the blower 2570) to facilitate rapidcooling of the heating plate 2520. The press plate 2511 can be anysuitable plate having sufficient mass and rigidity to repeatably andaccurately flatten and manipulate dough, as described herein. Forexample, in some embodiments, the press plate 2511 can have sufficientrigidity to transfer a press force of up to 1000 pounds to the dough (orbread) while undergoing a bending strain of less than 10 percent.Although not shown, the press plate 2511 includes four recesses (orcounter bores) that receive the connection pins 2526 and the connectionsprings 2525, as described below.

The heating plate 2520 is movably coupled to the press plate 2511 andincludes a first (or cooking) surface 2521 and a second (or back)surface 2522. Referring to FIG. 65, a heating element 2524 is coupled tothe second surface 2522, and produces thermal energy that is transferredthrough the heating plate 2520 and to the first surface 2521. Theheating element 2524 can be any suitable heating element that producesthe desired thermal response of the cooking surface 2521. For example,in some embodiments, the heating element 2524 can be an electricresistance heater that is coupled to the second surface 2522. In suchembodiments, the heating element 2524 can be, for example, a 1000 Wattheater, powered by A/C current and having a resistance of between about11-12 ohms. In other embodiments, the resistance may vary depending onwhether the input voltage is 110V or 220V. The heating element 2524 canbe coupled to the second surface 2522 in any suitable manner, forexample, by chemical bond, by sintering, or the like. Although notshown, in some embodiments, the heating plate 2520 includes one or moretemperature sensors to provide feedback to a controller (not shown),which can adjust the current profile to the heating element 2524. Insome embodiments, the heating element 2524 can be activated via pulsewidth modulated (PWM) current to produce the desired thermal affect.

The heating plate 2520 can be constructed from any suitable material tofacilitate rapid heat transfer into and/or out of the cooking surface2521. For example, in some embodiments, the heating plate 2520 can be athin plate, i.e., having a thickness of less than about 1 mm, less thanabout 2 mm, or less than about 3 mm. The heating plate 2520 can beconstructed from any suitable material, including stainless steel. Asshown, the heating plate 2520 is movably coupled to the press plate 2511by a series of springs 2525 and coupling pins 2526. Although four setsof pins and springs are shown in other embodiments, and suitable numberof coupling members can be used to movably couple the heating plate 2520to the press plate 2511. When the platen 2510 is in the first (alsoreferred to as the “un-pressed” or nominal) configuration, as shown, theheating plate 2520 is spaced apart from the press plate 2511 to form theair plenum 2523. Thus, in use air can flow within the air plenum (i.e.,between the press plate 2511 and the second surface 2522 of the heatingplate 2520), as shown by the arrow BB in FIG. 64, to facilitate rapidtemperature change (e.g., cooling) of the heating plate 2520. Moreover,during a heating cycle, the air plenum 2523 acts as an insulativebarrier to ensure that the thermal energy produced by the heatingelement 2524 is transferred towards the cooking surface 2521, and notinto the large thermal mass of the press plate 2511. In this manner, thethermal response of the cooking surface 2521 is improved.

When the cooking assembly in which the platen 2510 is included isactuated to flatten (or press) the dough, however, the heating plate2520 moves into contact with the press plate 2511 such that the twoplates collectively transfer the press force to the dough. In thismanner, the platen 2510 can include a heating plate 2520 that is thinand has rapid thermal response characteristics, but that also functionsto transfer the press force to the dough without bending more than anominal amount. Specifically, when the press force applied to thecooking surface 2521 exceeds a predetermined value (as determined basedon the spring characteristics of the springs 2525), the springs 2525compress, and the pins 2526 and springs 2525 collectively move into thecounter bores of the press plate 2511. This movement can continue untilthe second surface 2522 of the heating plate 2520 is in contact with thepress plate 2511 (i.e., until the platen 2510 is in a second or“pressed” configuration).

The blower 2570 includes a blower housing 2571 having an inlet portion2572 and an outlet portion 2573. The blower 2570 can be any suitableblower (e.g., a centrifugal blower) that produces an airflow, asdescribed herein. The outlet portion 2573 is coupled to the shroud 2580,which directs the airflow towards and over the platen 2510.Specifically, the shroud 2580 defines an outlet opening 2581 that has afirst (or top) portion 2582 and a second (or bottom) portion 2583 (see,FIG. 55). As shown, when the platen 2510 is in its first (or nominal)configuration, an edge of the heating plate 2520 is between the topportion 2582 and the bottom portion 2583. In this manner, the airflowproduced by the blower 2570 can be conveyed across the first surface2521 of the heating plate 2520 (see arrow AA) and across the secondsurface 2522 of the heating plate 2520 (see arrow BB).

In some methods of use, the heating element 2524 can be activated priorto a “press” event, and can cause the heating plate 2520 and/or the topsurface 2521 to reach temperatures of around 200 F. This will producesufficient heat to facilitate manipulating and/or pressing of the dough.The dough can then be pressed (not shown in FIGS. 63-65) between twoopposing platens, as described above (i.e., with the platen 2510 beingmoved into the “pressed” configuration). In particular, during thepressing operation, the heating plate 2520 can move into contact withthe press plate 2511. Thus, the press plate 2511 can provide the desiredmass and rigidity to accurately and repeatably press the dough. During acooking operation, the platen 2510 can be placed into its first(“un-pressed”) configuration, and the heating element 2524 can beactivated to produce temperatures of up to 500 F. To lower thetemperature for further operations (e.g., flipping, bread removal,etc.), the blower 2570 can be activated to produce the airflow asdescribed above.

Although the platen 2510 includes a separate heating plate 2520 andpress plate 2511 and the blower 2570, in other embodiments, a cookingassembly can include a heating plate that is separate from a pressplate, but need not include a blower (or other active coolingmechanism). In yet other embodiments, a platen can have a singlestructure that functions to both press and heat the dough (e.g., similarto the platen 1510), but can also include a blower (e.g., similar to theblower 2570).

In some embodiments, a platen can include an electrical connector forthe heating element that is offset from (or spaced apart from) thesurface of a heating plate. In this manner, the electrical connector canbe moved away from the high temperature region(s) that can cause failureof such connection joints. For example, FIGS. 66 and 67 show a heatingplate 3520 according to an embodiment. The heating plate 3520 can beincluded within any suitable cooking assembly, such as, for example, thecooking assembly 2510. The heating plate 3520 has a first (or cooking)surface 3521 and a second (or back) surface 3522. A heating element 3524is coupled to the second surface 3522. The heating element 3524 includesa pair of connectors 3920 through which power or current is supplied tothe heating element. Referring to FIG. 67, each connector 3920 includesan electrical terminal 3922 (e.g., a conductive material) that isdisposed between two insulators 3921, 3923. The insulator 3921 alsofunctions as a spacer to space the end of the terminal 3922 apart fromthe surface of the heating plate 3520. In this manner, the temperatureat the connectors 3920 can be maintained at a lower temperature than ifthe connectors 3920 were flush with the second surface 3522. In someembodiments, a press plate (not shown) used in conjunction with theheating plate 3520 can include a recess, opening or volume within whichthe connectors 3920 are received when the heating plate 3520 is movedinto contact with the press plate.

In some embodiments, the fluid (e.g., oil and water) delivery portionsof the ingredient metering assembly 1200 (or any ingredient meteringassembly described herein) can include tubes, heaters, and/or valvesthat can regulate the temperature of the fluid therein. In this manner,for example, the water supplied to the flour in the mixing bowl (e.g.,via nozzle 1254) can be maintained at a temperature that facilitatesefficient and repeatable mixing. For example, in some embodiments, atube, a valve, or a nozzle can include a resistance heater or athermos-electric heater/cooler that is activated to elevate or reducethe temperature of the water traveling therethrough. In otherembodiments, a tube, valve or nozzle can include heat transfercomponents configured to recapture heat from other portions of theassembly. For example, FIG. 68 shows a perspective view of a watertransfer tube 9255 that can be included within the ingredient meteringassembly 1200 (or any ingredient metering assembly described herein).The water transfer tube 9255 can provide a passageway through whichwater is conveyed from water reservoir 1250 to the nozzle 1254 fordelivery to the mixing bowl. The water transfer tubes 9255 includes aseries of heat transfer fins 5251 that are configured to transferambient heat from within the housing into the water flowingtherethrough.

Although not shown, in some embodiments, the water transfer tube 9255can include one or more temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples) thatcan provide feedback to the controller.

FIGS. 69-73 show a flatbread maker that includes a cylindricalflour/ingredient container coupled to the front of the machine. Theflour/ingredient container is a “3-in-1” style container, and isremovable. This embodiment can include an insulated storage compartmentwithin which the baked roti can be stored. This embodiment includes anauger (or screw) type dispenser to convey the flour from the container.This embodiment includes an x-y rail system to move a base and/or theplatens to transfer and manipulate the dough pieces.

FIGS. 74A-74D show a flatbread maker that includes a cylindricalflour/ingredient container coupled to the front of the machine. Theflour/ingredient container is a “3-in-1” style container, and can beremovable. This embodiment can include an insulated storage compartmentwithin which the baked roti can be stored. This embodiment includes anauger (or screw) type dispenser to convey the flour from the container.This embodiment includes single-axis rail system to move a base and/orthe platens to transfer and manipulate the dough pieces.

FIGS. 75A-75D show a modular flatbread maker that includes an ingredientstorage and preparation module that can be separately attached to abaking module. This embodiment can include an insulated storagecompartment within which the baked roti can be stored. This embodimentincludes an auger (or screw) type dispenser to convey the flour from thecontainer and/or to mix the ingredients. The mixed dough is thendispensed from the upper unit into the lower unit for baking, as shown.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, itshould be understood that they have been presented by way of exampleonly, and not limitation. Where methods described above indicate certainevents occurring in certain order, the ordering of certain events may bemodified. Additionally, certain of the events may be performedconcurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performedsequentially as described above. For example, while the embodiments thatare described above relate to creating any suitable flatbread, theinvention can be used to make any other suitable food products. Further,the embodiments that are described above relate to an apparatus to beused on a kitchen countertop, the invention can be used in a restaurantkitchen or any other environment where food is prepared. Alternatively,other embodiments of the invention can be used to make non-food productssuch as playdoh, crafts, paints, or the like.

Although various embodiments have been described as having particularfeatures and/or combinations of components, other embodiments arepossible having a combination of any features and/or components from anyof embodiments where appropriate.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a cooking assemblyincluding a first platen and a second platen, the first platen having afirst flattening mass and a first heating surface, the first heatingsurface configured to rotate relative to the first flattening mass, thesecond platen including a second flattening mass and a second heatingsurface, the second platen coupled to the first platen such that thefirst heating surface and the second heating surface define a platenvolume within which an ingredient mixture can be disposed; and anactuator assembly configured to move at least one of the first platen orthe second platen to transition the cooking assembly from a receivingconfiguration to a flattening configuration, the first heating surfacebeing nonparallel to the second heating surface when the cookingassembly is in the receiving configuration, the first heating surfaceand the second heating surface each configured to contact the ingredientmixture to limit movement of the ingredient mixture within the platenvolume when the cooking assembly is in the receiving configuration, thefirst heating surface being parallel to the second heating surface whenthe cooking assembly is in the flattening configuration, the firstheating surface and the second heating surface each configured to exerta press force on the ingredient mixture when the cooking assembly is inthe flattening configuration.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst heating surface is coupled to the first flattening mass by a hingejoint, the first heating surface configured to rotate relative to thefirst flattening mass about the hinge joint when the cooking assemblytransitions from the receiving configuration to the flatteningconfiguration.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: a first side of thefirst heating surface is coupled to the first flattening mass by thehinge joint, and a second side of the first heating surface is coupledto the first flattening mass by a releasable latch when the cookingassembly is in the flattening configuration.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to actuate the releasablelatch to allow the first heating surface to rotate relative to the firstflattening mass to place the cooking assembly in the receivingconfiguration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuatorassembly includes a first press member and a second press member, thefirst press member configured to contact a central portion of the firstflattening mass to transfer the press force from the first press memberto the central portion of the first flattening mass, the first pressmember spaced apart from a peripheral portion of the first flatteningmass, the second press member configured to contact the secondflattening mass to transfer the press force from the second press memberto the second flattening mass.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thefirst press member is coupled to a first lead screw and a second leadscrew, the first flattening mass between the first lead screw and thesecond lead screw.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the centralportion of the first flattening mass includes a protrusion including acontact surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: anelectronic control system including a sensor and a pressure module, thesensor configured to produce a force signal associated with the pressforce, the pressure module implemented in at least one of a memory or aprocessing device, the pressure module configured to receive the forcesignal and adjust, based on the force signal, a motor signal thatcontrols actuation of a motor.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theactuator assembly configured to rotate the cooking assembly between afirst orientation and a second orientation, the first heating surfacebetween a support surface and the second heating surface when thecooking assembly is in the first orientation, the second heating surfacebetween the support surface and the first heating surface when thecooking assembly is in the second orientation.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein: the actuator assembly is configured to move at leastone of the first platen or the second platen to place the cookingassembly in a first cooking configuration when the cooking assembly isin the first orientation, the first heating surface configured tocontact the ingredient mixture and the second heating surface configuredto be spaced apart from the ingredient mixture when the cooking assemblyis in the first cooking configuration, the first heating surfaceconfigured to heat the ingredient mixture when the cooking assembly isin the first cooking configuration; and the actuator assembly isconfigured to move at least one of the first platen or the second platento place the cooking assembly in a second cooking configuration when thecooking assembly is in the second orientation, the second heatingsurface configured to contact the ingredient mixture and the firstheating surface configured to be spaced apart from the ingredientmixture when the cooking assembly is in the second cookingconfiguration, the second heating surface configured to heat theingredient mixture when the cooking assembly is in the second cookingconfiguration.
 11. An apparatus, comprising: a container configured tocontain an ingredient, the container configured to be coupled to acooking device; and a machine-readable component coupled to thecontainer, the machine-readable component storing recipe informationassociated with the ingredient, the recipe information including atleast an amount of the ingredient, an electronic circuit system of thecooking device configured to receive the recipe information from themachine-readable component, the cooking device configured to manipulatethe container based on the recipe information to convey the amount ofthe ingredient from the container.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the cooking device is configured to move the container by adistance associated with the amount to convey the amount of theingredient from the container.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe outer surface includes a cylindrical portion configured to matinglyengage a rolling actuator of the cooking device such that rotation ofthe rolling actuator rotates the container to convey the amount of theingredient from the container.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe container includes an outlet portion including a dispensingprotrusion and defining an exit passageway, the dispensing protrusionand the exit passageway collectively configured to convey apredetermined amount of the ingredient from the container for eachrevolution of the container.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein theexit passageway is a spiral passageway.
 16. An apparatus, comprising: acontainer assembly including a first container and a second container,the first container and the second container defining a mixing volumewithin which a first ingredient and a second ingredient can be mixed toproduce an ingredient mixture, at least one of the first container orthe second container including a coupling portion configured to movablycouple the second container to the first container, the containerassembly configured to transition between a measurement configuration, amix configuration, and a delivery configuration, the second containerunsupported by the first container when the container assembly is in themeasurement configuration, a first seal surface of the first containerin contact with a second seal surface of the second container when thecontainer assembly is in the mix configuration, the first seal surfacespaced apart from and defining a tilt angle with the second seal surfacewhen the container assembly is in the delivery configuration.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the first seal surface is spaced apartfrom the second seal surface when the container assembly is in themeasurement configuration.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: thecoupling portion of the first container defines an elongated slot; andthe second container is coupled to the first container by a pin disposedwithin the elongated slot, the second container configured to rotaterelative to the first container about the pin when the containerassembly is moved between the mix configuration and the deliveryconfiguration.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the secondcontainer includes a delivery guide configured to guide the ingredientmixture out of the container assembly when the container assembly is inthe delivery configuration.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising: a container actuator assembly configured to manipulate thesecond container to transition the container assembly between themeasurement configuration, the mix configuration, and the deliveryconfiguration, an outer surface of second container configured tocontact a platform of the container actuator assembly.